EAST PROVIDENCE — Toby Gibbons has resigned as principal at East Providence High School effective immediately and will be replaced for the remainder of the 2021-22 term by Martin Middle School principal Bill Black, Superintendent Kathryn Crowley confirmed in letter penned to EPHS parents Wednesday, Dec. 22.

Gibbons, according to the superintendent (see letter by scrolling photos above), cited “personal reasons” for his decision. His tenure as principal, mostly overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic and which included the opening of the new EPHS building just this past summer, ends after just about 16 months in the position. He was hired in August of 2020 to replace Shani Wallace, who retired prior to the beginning of the 2020-21 school year.

Black was actually also one of the finalists for the EPHS position upon Wallace’s departure. The city resident was originally hired to direct MMS in late 2017. He came to the district from the same position at West Broadway Middle School in Providence.

(Updated, December 23, 10 a.m.) Shane Messier, a Dean of Students at Martin and a long time district employee who's held various administrative positions previously, has been named interim MMS principal.

Reached later Wednesday evening, Crowley confirmed the reason for a hastily called special session of the School Committee the night prior, December 21, was to discuss the situation surrounding Gibbons’ departure.

The committee approved the severing of Gibbons’ three-year contract, Black’s transfer to the high school and Messier’s assignment as interim MMS principal, the latter opening is already posted on the education employment site, SchoolSpring.

“It was a mutual parting of the ways. It was amicable,” Crowley said of Gibbons’ resignation, adding Black’s appointment to EPHS was “permanent.”

“It’s his for as long as he wants it,” Crowley said of Black’s status. “I feel Bill can and will do the job well. I have the utmost confidence in him.”

Crowley recollected on her decision to recommend Gibbons over Black for the EPHS position about a year-and-a-half ago, saying there was little separation between the candidates save for Gibbons’ experience at the secondary level as compared to Black, who had none.

“Bill knows the community. He will be in the community. He’s devoted to community,” Crowley added. “He’s said to me in the past it’s been his goal in education to be the principal at East Providence High School. He’s done a good job over at Martin. I believe he’ll also do well at the high school.”

With the district on break for the holidays, Black’s first official day in the new EPHS building will be Monday, January 3.

Black’s last day at Martin coincided with the announcement of Gibbons imminent departure and his ascension to the high school. Crowley said students and staff at MMS were quite emotional upon learning the news, a sign of the appreciation they had for performance and the respect for him as a person.

For his part Black, who lives in Rumford with his wife and three children, promised to bring the same type of engagement and work ethos to his new position.

"The last four years at Martin Middle School have been an amazing journey with awesome students, staff and families. I am going to miss working with such hard working teachers,” said Black late last Wednesday.

He continued, “As a resident, parent, and principal in East Providence, I am extremely excited to become a part of the strong team at East Providence High School. I look forward to working alongside a dedicated and committed group of people in the service of the students and families of East Providence.

“Townie Pride will be flowing through the hallways, athletic fields, classrooms, and learning spaces as we bring joy and enthusiasm with everything we do."