Newton Public Schools (NPS) has named current employees as interim principals for Newton North and Newton South High Schools for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Newton North HS
Lisa Gilbert-Smith, M.Ed. will be the Interim Principal of Newton North High School. She is currently the Director of NPS’s METCO Program and before that served as a teacher, counselor, administrator, and principal in Boston, Brookline and Newton. Her appointment was announced via press release on June 3. The release noted that Ms. Gilbert-Smith “brings a rare combination of deep instructional expertise, proven turnaround leadership, and a decades-long commitment to educational equity.”
Ms. Gilbert-Smith’s appointment follows the announced departure of current Newton North Principal Dr. Henry Turner, who will become the Superintendent of Reading (MA) Public Schools.
Newton South HS
Caitlin Brown, M.Ed., will be the Interim Principal of Newton South High School. She is currently the Dean of Students of the school and before that served as Principal of Andover High School. Her appointment was announced via press release on June 5. The release noted that Ms. Brown “brings extensive experience in high school leadership, student support, and organizational management to this role, positioning her as a steady guide for the South community.”
Ms. Brown’s appointment follows the announced departure of current Newton South Principal Tamara Stras, who will become the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education in the Cambridge Public Schools.