After eight years as assistant principal, after a rigorous selection process last year, Stephen Imbusch is in his first full year as principal of Walpole High School. One might assume that Principal Imbusch would ease into the position by not making significant changes to the high school. This assumption, however, could not be further from the truth. Eight months into his first year, Mr. Imbusch has drastically changed the schedule to include Professional Learning Communities, a new attendance policy, and  an advisory. Also throughout this year Mr. Imbusch has taken on a plethora of snow days, administrative threats, bathroom vandalism, fire alarms, and NEASC. Mr. Imbusch said, “It’s been a very busy year so far, but I feel like I am making a lot of changes to benefit the students and teachers at this school.”

After New England Associate of Schools and Colleges came to visit Walpole in 2009, the high school was placed on warning status because the staff was not meeting the assessment requirements developed by the institution.  These additions to the Walpole High School curriculum will help evaluate students learning abilities, study habits, and teacher techniques. Mr. Imbusch said that the school community “will probably take a number of years until we are fully embedded in the PLCs. The main goal of the PLCs is to figure out what parts of the curriculum are essential.” The PLCs allow teachers to corroborate with one another and figure out what teaching method is best for certain academic criteria. Overall, the PLCs will bring positive changes into Walpole’s learning environment. As changes continue to occur throughout the school, Imbusch is cautious to keep the new budget proposed by the superintendent in mind. Imbusch said, the budget “is not going topush us forward in anyway.  We won’t lose or gain teachers, but I would like to see more teachers being hired to incorporate more electives and smaller class sizes.”

A major change that students are not happy about is the new attendance policy. As many people are familiar with, once a student has three unexcused absences, three points are taken away from each of their subjects for that term. If a student is tardy three times, then they get detention on their third tardy. Many students are angry at this new policy, and Mr. Imbusch said that “this new policy does help increase attendance, although it does increase stress levels.” Mr. Imbusch said, “taking away points from ability because of behavior does not reflect my philosophy. I don’t think any student should fail.” In response to these student concerns, Mr. Imbusch created an Attendance Committee to review to these new rules.

With a lot of adjustments to the school over the past year, Mr. Imbusch believes that everyone should be successful. He said, “My underlying plan is that everyone will succeed. Things are going to change academically.”Along with fostering success among students and teachers.

Mr. Imbusch has also had to deal with many disruptions  to the schedule.  With four snow days, five un-planned fire alarms, and police involvement  in a highly publicized school threat.  Unlike his predecessor, Mr. Imbusch has had to overcome difficult issues that have disrupted the daily routine at Walpole High School in his first full year as principal.

Another change Imbusch would like to incorporate involves midyears. Mr. Imbusch said, “We are not taking away midyears. I asked teachers to assess the benefits of midyears, and we might have shorter exams in three days instead of longer exams in four days. I do not intend to make any sweeping changes.”

Another aspect Mr. Imbusch advocated to change was more student communication with administration. He said, “I try to get the word out to parents by e-mailing them, and I try to talk to Student Council a lot. I also try to make myself accessible to the student population.”

National Honor Society president, senior Joshua Cofsky, said, “I definitely feel administration is a lot more accessible to students than it has been  in the past. [Mr. Imbusch] is very open to ideas on school improvement, and I’ve already noticed that this year has had many new school sponsored events.”

Overall, students seem to notice a difference since Mr. Imbusch assumed the principal position. Student Council president, senior Grace Lynch, said, “Things flow better; I don’t feel as anxious about the disorganization of the school. He makes the school feel like a more calming environment.” With a noticeable difference in the school environment, Mr. Imbusch has also put himself out there in the recent Faculty Theatre Talent Show. Unlike any other principal, Mr. Imbusch showed off his talents- playing guitar, song writing, and singing- to add a little lightheartedness to the Walpole High School community. No principal in recent years has enacted so many changes so quickly while adding a spark of comedy to the school as well.

From a teacher’s perspective, social studies teacher Mr. Stephen Waisgerber said, “Change is really hard for most people. Teachers as well as students. I think by nature teachers are very critical thinkers. So that the changes that have happened in the school, be it advisories or PLC’s have met some resistance. But what we appreciate with Mr. Imbusch is that he understands the school, and he brings enthusiasm and passion to his job. Therefore, most teachers that I have talked to are willing to give his vision a chance.”

Despite the intense responsibilities that come with leading a high school, the Walpole community has expressed their satisfaction with the revisions Mr. Imbusch has made. Imbusch’s provisions, which alter the structure of the school day for both students and teachers alike, have met mixed reviews from the student body thus far.  However,  as Mr. Imbusch’s first year in the principal’s office progresses, the student body and faculty alike will continue to welcome his changes with open minds.