Webb names new headmaster

Raymond S. Broadhead (Submitted photo) [Click to enlarge]

The new headmaster for Webb School is from Massachusetts, but he won't need a guide when he moves to Bell Buckle next spring.

"My wife's from North Carolina," said Raymond S. Broadhead, laughing. "She translates."

Of course, for the last three years, he's been getting some on-the-job training when it comes to "y'all" and "fixin' to." He was the first headmaster ever at the Elon School in Alamance, N.C., helping get the new private school up and running. Before that, he was at Brooks School in North Andover, Mass., for 32 years.

During his career, Broadhead's served as a dean of students, dormitory master, director of summer programs, enrollment committee chair, and assistant athletic director. Broadhead taught science, algebra, geometry, statistics, and psychology.

Additionally, he chaired the faculty planning group for the construction of a new science building, and co-chaired a committee studying the development of the "whole child."

He was also a varsity basketball and football coach, which may pose a problem at Webb -- no football.

"I can live with it," he said. "It takes a lot to get a program started, the right students to make it successful. It would take a lot of thought, but we'll look into it."

Well-rounded view

In the meantime, he's excited about continuing to build the school and its reputation in all fields -- academics, athletics, the arts and activities.

"I think they're all important," he said.

He's also excited about the future of the school.

"One of the biggest challenges is fundraising and that's an important part of leading The Webb School into the future -- finding financial partners and ways to excite people about the school, so that they will want to partner with it," Broadhead said.

The Webb School Board of Trustees voted unanimously Friday to appoint Broadhead, now living in Burlington, N.C., to be its next head of school, the 12th to hold that title.

In making the announcement Friday, Board Chairman Phil Coop said Broadhead stood out from the other candidates because he was a previous finalist for head of school at Webb.

Broadhead's longtime dedication to independent education also set him apart.

'School man'

"He is a 'school man,'" Coop explained. "He's absolutely committed to private education and he's absolutely committed to boarding education, and that is something the board feels is very important to the future of the Webb School."

A Webb Board of Trustee committee began the comprehensive search for a new head of school in June, following the resignation of former Head of School Albert R. Cauz. The committee, led by Vance Berry '72 and Lee Woosley '78, narrowed a pool of more than 30 candidates from across the United States to three finalists over several months time. The finalists then participated in an interview process that involved personal visits by select committee members to their home schools, and meetings with Webb student and parent groups, faculty and administrators at the Bell Buckle campus.

Active life

"They showed us around town," said Broadhead. "Bell Buckle is such a charming little town. We're looking forward to getting to know the people and getting involved in the community.

"I like the sense of community at Webb; the faculty is very passionate and dedicated. And, being involved with a boarding school is something that I've missed (while working at Elon). You have a lot of opportunities to educate the whole student in a boarding environment," he said.

A member of the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce in Burlington, he said he and his wife, Leone, also a teacher, were looking forward to being just as active here. Members of three different dance clubs there, they hope to keep their hobby in their new home.

"We're bringing the Carolina Shag to Tennessee," he joked.

Interim head happy

Interim Webb Head of School Gordon E. Bondurant of Charleston, S.C., who actively assisted with the search process since coming to Webb in July, said he was pleased with the board's selection.

"Ray Broadhead will bring to Webb years of experience in a school very similar to our own. Highly regarded by all who have known and worked with him, Ray has a warm and engaging personality, a vision of the great potential that exists at Webb, and a will to make things happen to take Webb to the next level.

"His greatest strengths, I believe, rest in the relationships he will develop with students, faculty, staff, trustees and the community of Bell Buckle," Bondurant added. "We are fortunate to have found someone of his talents and skills."

Broadhead has more than 34 years of experience in independent education. In addition to his work experience, Broadhead has a master's degree in science from Brown University and a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Pennsylvania.

Leone Broadhead presently teaches biology, chemistry and earth science at a North Carolina charter school. Together they have three adult children. Two daughters live in Atlanta, one factor he and his wife considered a bonus to their move.