Holding a number of titles during her tenure of more than 20 years at Eastern High School, freshman Vice Principal Pamela Bolden is now nearing the final months until her retirement.
Effective Jan. 2, the Eastern School District Board of Education unanimously approved Bolden’s resignation due to retirement, which was grouped along with several other personnel items on the agenda at the Sept. 18 meeting.
“I really enjoyed working for her,” Eastern High School freshman English and theater teacher Liz O’Keefe said. “I find her very collegial and helpful.”
O’Keefe explained that Bolden had been the supervisor to the English department for 10 years before going on to supervise other departments, including world language and technology. However, this year, Bolden has returned as supervisor for the English department.
“She’s definitely an advocate for the students,” O’Keefe said.
In addition to serving as vice principal and supervisor to the English department, Bolden is also the affirmative action officer for the high school.
“She will be missed,” O’Keefe said. “I know it’s cliche, but it’s true.”
Board of education president Robert DeCicco said the board will start looking for Bolden’s successor, with no definitive answer on whether the candidate will be promoted from within or brought in from outside the Eastern High School district.
“We will be looking at it and take in consideration all in-house applicants, as well as outside,” DeCicco said.
A new policy was also unanimously approved during the meeting for student athletes regarding students returning to sports and concussion testing. DeCicco explained that the new policy was put in place to comply with new state requirements for testing.
In addition, senior student Namita Nandakumar was also honored during the meeting as Eastern High School’s Scholar of the Month for September. Nandakumar was recognized both for her scholastic aptitude and her volunteer efforts.
