WESTBROOK – For most kids, starting off the year in a new school can be a daunting experience. There is a new building to learn, new teachers to meet and the pressure of being labeled “the new guy.”

For a new principal, it can be much the same experience: Learning a whole new group of students and teachers, with the additional pressure of being the person in charge of the whole thing.

Fortunately, Westbrook High School’s new principal won’t have those worries when he takes over for Tom O’Malley on July 1. Last week, the Westbrook School Committee confirmed the appointment of longtime Westbrook school administrator Jon Ross as the new principal. O’Malley, who was hired last summer, made his resignation official in December.

Ross, who will be leaving his post as the district’s director of adult and alternative learning, is already spending time at the high school, working as the senior class administrator, helping the seniors get ready for graduation as he continues to work with the staff on the transition coming in July.

On Monday, Ross, who said he was one of 15 applicants for the position, said that he was excited to begin this new phase of his career.

“High school principal is a big job,” he said. “I’m honored that they offered it to me.”

This isn’t the first time Ross has held the top post at the high school. When former Principal Marc Gousse was named school superintendent last March, Ross stepped in as interim principal for the last four months of the school year.

Having someone who knows all about what it takes to be an effective high school principal as the superintendent is a huge asset to someone who is stepping into that role for the first time, Ross said.

“He (Gousse) and I have a great working relationship,” Ross said. “Having Marc as the superintendent with me as the high school principal, for me, is perfect. He’s a great resource.”

“I’ve had that (experience) before and I know how busy the place can be,” he said. “I’ve been in the district for almost 14 years and I’ve been an administrator for 10, so folks know me from that. And I have a three-month window to reach out to people on the staff (to start to make the transition).”

And make no mistake about it, Ross is working hard to make sure that the transition to new leadership at the school will be as smooth as possible. He has already started meeting with each staff member at the school to discuss the change. Because he already knows most of the people he will be working with, Ross said, he’s having an easier time than someone coming in from the outside.

“I have time now in these three months to set myself up for next year with the relationships I have, where somebody coming in from the outside is still learning names,” he said, adding that the reaction that he got after his appointment was announced was overwhelmingly positive.

“After the school board announced I was going to be principal, I must have had 50 emails and I’ve been getting smiles in the hallways,” he said. “It’s a nice feeling.”

But it’s not just the staff that is happy with the transition. Students at the school welcomed the news that the popular Ross, who hosts camping trips as part of the district’s adventure ed program, would be running the high school next fall.

“I think Mr. Ross is a perfect principal, he’ll be great,” junior Katie Conley said Monday. “I think he understands (what kids are going through in school).”

“You always see him. He’s always interacting with the students,” Conley continued. “He’s at the door when you come in, saying ‘good morning’ to you, and that’s what I think a good principal (needs to be). They should be involved in the kids’ lives.”

Sophomore Alex Howe, who has been on the adventure ed camping trips with Ross, was also happy to hear that he would be principal next year.

“I think he’s pretty cool,” said Howe. “He’s a nice guy.”

Sitting alongside Howe, Kyle Moore, a sophomore who will be graduating early next year, said that while Ross can be strict when it is required, he also knows how to handle kids well.

“He’s pretty awesome,” he said. “He can put his foot down when he needs to, but he can also get the job done.”

Another veteran of the camping trips, freshman Sadie Dorn, had a right-to-the-point assessment of Ross’ hiring.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Dorn said. “He’s honestly amazing.”

Junior Conner Richardson was also looking forward to Ross becoming his principal next year.

“I like Mr. Ross a lot,” he said. “He’s a really good guy and he cares a lot about the students. I’m excited for him to be principal. He’s really good with the students. He knows how to get down to business and do work, but he makes it enjoyable. I’m very excited. I cannot wait for next year.”

John Ross, the new Westbrook High School principal, center, is a popular choice among Westbrook students. Pictured, from left, Conner Richardson, Katie Conley, Sadie Dorn, Kyle Moore and Alex Howe, all said that they were happy to hear that Ross will take over on July 1.
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