A Maine school administrator has been tapped as the new president of the Charter School of Wilmington.
Walter Warner replaces Ron Russo, who was fired earlier this year amid controversy stemming from sexual harassment claims.
Warner was most recently the executive director of the Maine School of Science and Math, a chartered magnet school which was ranked the 12th best public high school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.
He previously served as Assistant Headmaster at the Episcopal High School of Baton Rouge, La. He has also served as a curriculum coordinator, director of information technology, science department head and held program coordinator positions for schools in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Ohio and New Hampshire.
Warner has a Master of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies (1988) from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn. and a Bachelor of Arts (Magna Cum Laude) Degree (1980) from Plymouth State College in New Hampshire. He has received several state and national awards for his teaching.
Warner will be joined in Wilmington by his wife Laurie, who is a registered nurse.
The selection of Warner comes as the result of an extensive search, according to the board. The board retained the search firm Carney, Sandoe and Associates to assist in the process. Keith Wing, a board member representing the DuPont Company, led the search team, which included faculty, staff, parents, and other board members.
Lynn Srivastava, chairwoman of the board, said she is delighted to have Warner join the school.
"Walt has an impressive track record as an excellent educator, school leader and humanitarian and he shares our core beliefs and aspirations for advancing student performance," she said.Warner was enthusiastic about the move to Wilmington.
“[The] Charter School of Wilmington is a school that is nationally recognized for its commitment to excellence in education," he said. "Year after year, through the mentorship of a talented and dedicated faculty, CSW students distinguish themselves and the school, in Delaware and beyond, by their extraordinary accomplishments. It is both an honor and a privilege to be asked to lead such a distinguished school."
