Brookfield Principal
To Stay Put—for Now
By Sara Nelson

Bob Rosane, whose recent decision not to take a position as superintendent of the Barre Supervisory Union was highly publicized in the Barre media, will remain principal of Brookfield Elementary School for the upcoming school year.

Rosane told The Herald that his reason for declining the Barre position was his desire not to "leave everyone in the lurch," and pointed out that he is under contract with Brookfield.

Although Rosane applied and was a finalist earlier this year for a superintendent position in Montpelier, Rosane said this time of year would be a much more difficult time for his school to find a replacement for him.

Reacting to what he felt were misrepresentations in the press coverage he received, Rosane explained that he never applied for the Barre position, but that rather the Barre Supervisory Union approached him with the job offer. Rosane also said that he didn’t initiate negotiations for a lengthier contract, as had been reported.

"They offered me the job, and I thought about it for 24 hours and declined," he said.

Also recently reported was the little-known fact that Rosane serves as assistant superintendent at the Orange Southwest Supervisory Union. Brookfield schoolboard member Bob Decker characterized this position as part-time and "unofficial," saying the position was intended to give Rosane experience that would help him advance his career.

"We see in Bob Rosane an ability to move much further upward," said Decker, who expressed fear that Rosane’s service at OSSU would be "misunderstood" and emphasized that "Brookfield does not suffer for it."

As for the future, Rosane said he "can’t say" whether he’ll remain at Brookfield after the upcoming school year, but in the meantime said that the school is "making wonderful progress."