Head of School Transition

A Message from the Board of Trustees

To the Walnut Hill School Community:

Earlier this year, we shared that Eric Barber planned to conclude his tenure as Head of School at the close of the 2026—27 academic year. We write now with an update: that timeline will take effect sooner, with Eric concluding his service effective June 26, 2026. Eric and the Board agree that this revised timeline, with a transition to interim leadership, is the strongest path forward for the school.

We are deeply grateful to Eric for his commitment to Walnut Hill. During his tenure, he reset the school after a global pandemic, launched a strategic plan, stewarded us through the profound loss of a student and a beloved faculty member, expanded the school's reach through Walnut Hill in Boston, and served as a visible and dedicated ambassador.

The Board has appointed Linda Dennison, Chief Financial and Operating Officer, as Acting Head of School. An experienced independent school finance and operations leader, Linda will manage the school’s daily operations with the support of the senior leadership team until an Interim Head of School is named. That appointment is expected prior to the start of the school year.

The Board is approaching the selection of longer‑term leadership with great care and deliberation. We continue to engage our consultant, Educators Collaborative, who specializes in school leadership transitions. Together, we will identify an Interim Head of School who will champion our immediate priorities and begin the transition work that prepares Walnut Hill for its next permanent Head of School. This is a well‑established approach that many schools use when planning for new leadership.

We are paying close attention to the impact of these transitions and working with the administrative leadership team to minimize disruptions to the school’s day-to-day operations now and when classes resume, ensuring continuity across every area. Classroom activities, programs, and the care our students receive will continue exactly as they should and remain our highest priority.

We will continue to keep you informed as we move forward. For more information, including updated Head of School Transition Questions & Answers, please visit the Head of School Transition page on the Walnut Hill School for the Arts website.

Thank you for your continued support of Walnut Hill during this time of transition.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Toolin McAuliffe P'15
Chair, Board of Trustees

Head of School Transition: Questions & Answers

Head of School Search Committee

Walnut Hill School for the Arts is pleased to announce the members of the Head of School Search Committee, which will partner closely with the Board of Trustees and the School’s search consultants, Educators Collaborative, throughout the search process.

The Committee includes trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, and past parents who bring a broad range of experiences, perspectives, and relationships to the Walnut Hill community. Together, with the benefit of community-wide input, they will help shape the portrait of Walnut Hill’s next Head of School, participate in candidate evaluation and interviews, and support a thoughtful and confidential search process.

The Board of Trustees retains final responsibility for the selection and appointment of Walnut Hill’s next Head of School.

Search Committee Members

Nicole Gakidis ’81, P’18 (Chair)
Evangeline Delgado ’11
Jennifer Elowitch
Eric Herbst ’09
Bill Hughes P’13
Deborah Mankiw P’18
Michael Micucci
Erika Picciotto Zanussi
Amy Wheeler
John Williams P’05
Bethany Zaheer ’00

Additional information regarding the Search Committee, including committee responsibilities and member biographies, is available here:

SEARCH COMMITTEE OVERVIEW & BIOS

The school is grateful to the members of the Committee for their time, thoughtfulness, and commitment to this important work.

Community Survey: Shaping the Portrait of Walnut Hill's Next Leader

Last week, the Board of Trustees announced that Eric Barber will conclude his tenure as Head of School at the end of the 2026–27 academic year, beginning a thoughtful search process for Walnut Hill’s next leader.

Input from across the Walnut Hill community is an essential part of the search process.

Today, Walnut Hill is launching a community-wide survey to gather perspectives on the School’s strengths, opportunities, priorities, and the leadership qualities that will best support the institution’s future. Feedback will help shape the portrait of the next Head of School and inform the Leadership Profile that will guide the search.

As you reflect on the experience, leadership qualities, and personal attributes most important in advancing Walnut Hill’s mission, we encourage you to share your thoughts candidly. 

The survey response period is now closed.

During the week of May 18, our search consultants will visit campus to meet with members of the Walnut Hill community and learn more about the School and its aspirations for the future.

Additional information regarding the transition and search process is available in the Head of School Transition: Questions & Answers. Please refer to the Head of School Transition webpage for ongoing updates throughout the process.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your perspectives and support this important process.