Toby Gibbons

EAST PROVIDENCE — East Providence High School has a new principal in Toby Gibbons, his appointment to the post, vacated last month after five years by predecessor Shani Wallace, was announced at a special session of the School Committee held Thursday night, Sept. 10.

Mr. Gibbons was the candidate recommended following a three-stage interview process, which included input from students, staff and administrators. Superintendent Kathryn Crowley made her recommendation known to the committee at the beginning of the virtual gathering, which the new principal joined from his home.

“Congratulations. We look forward to welcoming you to our administrative team. I think you’ll be a wonderful fit,” Superintendent Crowley said to Mr. Gibbons.

Mr. Gibbons comes to EPHS following a seven-year stint as an assistant principal at Narragansett High School. He received his bachelor’s degree Mathematics and Education from Springfield (Mass.) University in 1993. He spent the next decade working at private schools before becoming a public school teacher in 2004. He has also been a hockey coach at South Kingstown High School. Mr. Gibbons received his Master's Degree in School Administration from Providence College.

“I’m very excited, Everything I’ve heard and seen about the City of East Providence, about becoming a Townie, is very exciting to me and my family. And I just can’t wait to get to work tomorrow,” Mr. Gibbons said upon his introduction at last Thursday’s meeting.

Mr. Gibbons was the highest rated applicant among the pool of some dozen candidates who put in for the position. His application was noteworthy because of his extensive experience at the high school level both in the classroom and in administration.

In 2019, he was named Assistant Principal of the Year by the Rhode Island Association of School Principals. His time at Narragansett High was marked, in part, by a four-month stint as acting principal beginning in December 2018 when NHS Principal Dan Warner underwent a kidney transplant operation in Colorado.

Please support your local news coverage

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the local economy - and many of the advertisers who support our work - to a near standstill. During this unprecedented challenge, we continue to make our coronavirus coverage free to everyone at eastbayri.com - we believe it is our mission is to deliver vital information to our communities. If you believe local news is essential, especially during this crisis, please consider a tax-deductible donation. 

Donate Here

Thank you for your support!

Matt Hayes, EP Post Publisher