3/3/2009

Head of School Carolyn Chandler announced on March 3, 2009, that Howard Barton has been appointed Upper School Principal, effective July 1, 2009. He was chosen after an extensive national search.

Barton has taught English in the Upper School since 1998 and also served as Dean of Students from 2002-2007. He brings to the position eight years of teaching experience at both the United States Naval Academy and West Point, as well as leadership and management experience garnered from his many years of service to our country as Battalion Executive Officer in the 82nd Airborne Division, Operations Officer in the XVIII Airborne Corps, Company Commander and Staff Officer in the 101st Airborne Division, and Platoon Leader in the 25th Infantry Division.

Barton earned a B.S. in General Engineering at the United States Military Academy and subsequently earned a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature at Yale University. He went on to earn a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies and National Defense from the United States Naval War College and a Master of Philosophy in English Language and Literature from Yale University.

At Country Day, Barton not only has taught English, but also has served on numerous school committees. As Dean of Students, Barton heightened the visibility of the dean’s position, conducted honor and discipline hearings, oversaw the reorganization of the advisory system, worked with the Student Senate, and participated in major decisions concerning program changes, resource allocation, and administrative functions in the Upper School.

He also volunteered to serve as Scoutmaster of Country Day’s Boy Scout Troop 108 for six years. Howard, himself an Eagle Scout, gave the troop an outdoor adventure focus, and also sought to instill the values he considers essential to young people’s education: character, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, leadership, honesty, kindness and consideration for and assistance to other people.

Head of School Carolyn Chandler commended the Search Committee for their extremely thorough and careful, honest, meticulous, and impassioned deliberations. Gretchen Hennessy served as committee chair and Louise Gabriel, Don Hattier, Susan Kurnit, Evelyn Menge, Chris Nichols, and Meb Norton as members. Chandler also thanked all the parents and students who participated in the search process, and said that their feedback was extremely valuable to the committee and to her.

Corbett Simons, who has served as middle and upper school principal since 2007, will continue as middle school principal. Country Day's strong rebound since Hurricane Katrina has necessitated the return to two separate middle school principal and upper school principal positions.

Commenting on his appointment, Barton observed, “I am fortunate to have a solid understanding of Country Day, what it is and what it can become. Knowing the school’s strengths and where it can be improved, I am excited and honored to accept this considerable responsibility. Country Day has been my home for the last ten years and I look forward to working with the entire Country Day community in our efforts to make this an even better place for our children.”

In her announcement, Chandler said “Howard’s enthusiasm for Country Day and his ideas for moving us forward will enrich our upper school students’ experiences for years to come. Howard has the intellect, the character, the background, and the energy to work vigorously and creatively with our Country Day community as together we create our school’s exciting future.”