Tuesday morning at 8 a.m., Upper School students and faculty responded with universal cheers and a standing ovation to exciting news from Head of School Todd Bland. Mr. Bland announced that he had accepted the recommendation from the Upper School Principal Search Committee to offer the position to Mr. David Ball, and that Mr. Ball had enthusiastically accepted. David will start his new role on July 1.
David Ball, Milton Academy Class of 1988, has served as Milton’s academic dean since 2005. David began teaching in 1992 at Montgomery Academy in Montgomery, Alabama, as a member of the history department. In 1996, David became the head of the department and held that position for three years. David returned to Milton in 1999, joining the history department, serving as the debate team coach, and participating in various committees during his tenure as both teacher and administrator. David holds an A.B. in History from Princeton University and an A.M. in History from Duke University.
The Upper School Principal Search Committee, chaired by Rod Skinner, director of college counseling, has been working intensely on this charge for a number of months. The Committee reviewed applications from more than 120 educators, interviewed 14 semi-finalists, and hosted three finalists on campus for two-day visits. During their visits, the finalists met with faculty and staff, students and parents. Members of the community provided their feedback to the committee, which contributed to the committee’s deliberations. Mr. Bland thanked members of the committee for their thorough and careful work on behalf of Upper School. Committee members include Rod Skinner, chair, director of college counseling; John Banderob, mathematics department and Robbins House co-head; Matt Bingham, science department; Mark Connolly, modern languages department chair; Jenn Eng, English department and Robbins House staff; Suzanne DeBuhr, interfaith chaplain, history and social sciences department and Robbins House staff; Bridget Johnson, dean of students; Peter Parisi, performing arts department chair and Norris House staff; Susan Rowell, director of human resources; and Todd Bland, head of school, ex-officio.
