The long-time assistant principal at Lt. Job Lane School will take the reins of an intermediate school in Maynard beginning July 1.
Keith Kinney has been named principal of the Fowler School, home to about 450 students in grades 4-8.
Kinney has served as assistant principal at Lane for the past 12 years. Before coming to Bedford, he was a teacher in elementary grades in Chelmsford for 10 years.
Superintendent of Schools Philip Conrad told the School Committee at its meeting Tuesday that he will appoint Kinney’s successor soon. He said he and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tricia Clifford interviewed finalists after candidates were vetted by Lane School Principal Rob Ackerman and other staff members.
“We have spent close to 2,000 days together welcoming students each morning while we do traffic duty. It will be strange not having him with me next year,” said Ackerman in an email. “Over his tenure he has embraced all aspects of school leadership. Keith not only likes them all, but he also is knowledgeable and skilled in all the ‘hats’ which must be worn.
“Keith leaves behind reminders of what he has done to help students,” Ackerman pointed out. “He spearheaded the design and building of the Lane playground. About five years ago he was able to create a fully functioning kitchen for one of our autism programs. In the back of our school is a greenhouse that he helped build.”
“But most of all, I will remember Keith for doing lots of things behind the scenes that Lane families and town residents may not be aware of,” the principal continued. “Each November and December he leads the effort to provide food, toys, and funds for Lane families in need. Just today he let me know that a family was coming by the Lane office to pick up several gift cards he acquired for them.”
In a letter to Lane School parents, Kinney said, “Over the years, the collaboration with families, students, and staff has been remarkable. My tenure has been filled with many memories, and I will deeply miss every single aspect of Lane School and the Town of Bedford.”
“Life goes on and there are always great people to fill the shoes of those that leave,” he observed. “What remains are the relationships and memories that have been created over the years. Bedford will forever be in my blood and a huge part of who I am. I appreciate our time together and I always will.”
Ackerman reminisced about “a lot of fun times. I still remember the two of us climbing up onto the wires on our Project Adventure course so we could see what it was like for the kids. I was not a fan of heights so Keith enjoyed seeing me shake 35 feet in the air. The only thing I remember saying to Keith was, ‘I can’t believe we allow our students to climb this high.’ We are good friends, so I know we will still be in touch.”
Kinney received his bachelor’s and master’s in education degrees from Fitchburg State College and a certificate of advanced graduate studies from its successor, Fitchburg State University.
Loading ...
Congratulations Keith
Way to go, well deserved!