The School's Founding Administrative Team in July of 2002.

A remarkable strength of Franklin Academy resides in the experienced and talented leadership group that created the school, recruited our dedicated faculty, and managed every aspect of the school’s endeavors since incorporation. These administrators guided the school through its successful opening, directed the institution to fiscal self-sufficiency, and secured accreditation through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. They have forged an ambitious plan for the school’s future, and they have pledged continuing loyalty to the school and one another in order to help Franklin Academy achieve important strategic objectives, including purchase of the leased campus property, the development of additional school facilities, and the growth of the enrollment to one hundred and twenty-five students. The team includes the following individuals:

A. Frederick Weissbach serves as Head of School, and he reports directly to a self-perpetuating board of trustees on all aspects of Franklin Academy’s operation. His career in independent school education now totals thirty-two years, including nineteen years as headmaster of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Jackson, Mississippi and St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin, Texas. Mr. Weissbach has extensive experience in overseeing operating budgets, hiring and evaluating personnel, directing strategic initiatives, managing cash flow, enrollment growth, and construction projects, and working closely with trustees, donors, and foundations to raise dollars for capital projects.

Seymore T. Hays is the Education Director. He has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and for twenty-seven years he has served students with special needs in residential treatment centers, public schools, and private schools as a counselor, therapist, clinician, special education coordinator, school psychologist, and director of student support services. Dr. Hays is responsible for overseeing Franklin Academy’s academic program. He works closely with learning specialists, department chairs, and teachers to insure that our educational activities are consistent with the school’s beliefs about teaching and learning and to meet the needs of high-functioning students with nonverbal learning differences.

Fred at the opening of the 2007-08 school year	Rebecca and Tom Hays

Mary L. Murphy is the school’s Residential Director, and her resume reveals more than thirty years of professional experience in a variety of educational settings as a teacher, associate dean, caseworker, consultant, adjunct graduate school professor, and summer program director. With tremendous strength in experiential education, service learning, and community building, Ms. Murphy oversees every aspect of Franklin Academy’s boarding program, including the training of residential staff, student supervision, stewardship of dormitory facilities, and the creation of a positive, safe, and supportive community environment.

Rebecca C. Hays serves as Franklin Academy’s Clinical Director to provide oversight and administration of all clinically related services and programs, including supervision of the school’s clinical professionals. She has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Over the course of her twenty-five year career she has worked in residential treatment centers, hospitals, clinics, and schools as a counselor, clinician, team supervisor, school psychologist, and special education team member. Her specialties included the evaluation of learning disabilities and the treatment of behavioral disorders in children and adolescents.

Cynthia L. Pope is our Admissions Director with twenty-two years as a professional educator at the university, public, and private school levels, including thirteen years of responsibility for building and maintaining enrollment at three different independent college preparatory schools. Ms. Pope oversees all aspects of enrollment management at Franklin Academy, establishes enrollment goals in collaboration with the administrative team, directs the school’s marketing plan, and travels across the country to represent the school. Ms. Pope is also an associate member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, giving the school wide access to a nationwide network of consultants who work with families whose children have nonverbal learning differences.

Gabrielle - The Voice of Franklin	Lee at Work

Leland D. Barsom is our Operations Director. He has more than thirty years of management experience in food service, construction, and the household durable goods industry. At Franklin Academy Mr. Barsom oversees the physical plant, food operation, and student transportation, supervises maintenance and cleaning staff, manages 50% of the operating budget, and insures the school’s compliance with all federal, state, and local legal and regulatory requirements. He serves as project manager for construction and renovation projects, provides critical support for human resources management, and directs the school’s safety program.

Gabrielle L. Weissbach is our Administrative Assistant and the “British” voice of Franklin Academy. Ms. Weissbach has enjoyed a thirty-two year career in international education and boarding schools, serving as director of admissions and director of development, and she is the wife of the headmaster as well. At Franklin Academy she manages the switchboard during working hours, helps to facilitate communication between the school and its various constituencies, and oversees school mail. In addition, she handles tuition payments, maintains the school’s administrative records, and coordinates special events at the school.

When the collective years of professional experience are tallied and the growing tenures at Franklin Academy are added to the equation, the parent of any current or prospective student should be confident that this school is ready to meet the multi-faceted needs of students with nonverbal learning differences. In addition, the core of leadership at Franklin Academy is expanding. Learning Specialists, Residential Deans, and Counselors are growing in experience and stature, and these educators are embracing an increasing range of responsibilities. Our continuing success as a school will be determined in large measure by a tested administration that remains faithful to Franklin Academy’s mission.

Cindy, Gabrielle, Mary & Fred at the Parent Reception	The Team at Graduation 2008