NEWS

Toby Gibbons named interim principal at Pilgrim

By ALEX MALM
Posted 2/2/22

Pilgrim High School has a new interim principal. Toby Gibbons was named to the position last Friday. His first day as a Patriot was on Monday. Gibbons will be paid at a per diem rate that …

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NEWS

Toby Gibbons named interim principal at Pilgrim

Posted

Pilgrim High School has a new interim principal. Toby Gibbons was named to the position last Friday. His first day as a Patriot was on Monday. Gibbons will be paid at a per diem rate that wasn’t available at time of publication.  

“Gibbons brings with him a student centered philosophy and an open communication leadership style,” an email from the Central Administration read.

Following the death of Gerald Habershaw in November, Pam Bernardi was named acting principal. 

 “The district wants to thank Ms. Bernardi for taking over the role of principal at Pilgrim during this very difficult transition period,” the email read. “Her dedication and commitment to the Pilgrim Community has been outstanding.”

Gibbons grew up in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. After college he spent 12 years working in private boarding schools and 17 years in public education. 

 After spending seven years as the assistant principal for Narragansett High School, Gibbons was named principal at East Providence High School in 2020.  In 2019 he was named Assistant Principal of the Year by the Rhode Island Association of School Principals.

During his time at Narragansett he filled in as interim principal twice due to the principal being out with illnesses. 

“It was a great learning experience,” said Gibbons Wednesday. 

In December Gibbons resigned from his post at East Providence High School.

“It just wasn’t the right fit,” said Gibbons. 

Superintendent Lynn Dambruch said on Wednesday that they checked his references and learned that there weren't any issues with his performance at East Providence. 

“We did check all his references and he got glowing reviews,” said Dambruch. 

Gibbons’ first day as interim principal was a distance-learning day. On Tuesday he got to meet students and staff in person. He said meeting them is very important. 

“My first priority is to learn and understand the culture at Pilgrim and support all the good work that has been going on recently,” said Gibbons. 

Gibbons recognized that since the passing of Habershaw it has been a tough time for the Pilgrim community, saying he wants to “make sure the students and staff have the support they need while at the same time celebrating the career and life of a wonderful man but moving forward at the same time.”

Dambruch said that Assistant Superintendent Bill McCaffrey reviewed the applications and picked three to interview. 

From there the eight person interview team including central administrators, Pilgrim administrators and a Pilgrim teacher interviewed each of them. 

“It had a variety of members on the team,” said Dambruch. 

Each member of the team rated each of the components of the interview and the one with the highest score was considered a successful candidate. Dambruch, McCaffrey, and Human Resources Director Kim Ruggieri conducted a final interview to make sure it was a good fit. 

Aside from Gibbons, the Administration includes assistant principals Bernardi, Bruce Fairbanks and Cheri Guerra. The Central Administration said that they feel the four of them will “work together as a great team.”

“It's an exciting time for me. I'm happy to be here,” said Gibbons.

Gibbons, Pilgrim. principal

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