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Savoy School Welcomes New Principal; Bids Adieu to Senecal — AgainBy Kathy Keeser
Special to iBerkshires
03:28AM / Monday, June 15, 2009
Photos by Kathy Keeser
Longtime Savoy Principal Marge Senecal, left, chats with new Principal Anne Mahoney on Friday. |
SAVOY, Mass. — How many principals does it take to replace Marge Senecal? Two, apparently. Maybe this time she can finally retire.
Senecal, a 25-year veteran of the small mountain school was called back part time last fall after retiring after 20 years as principal the year before. Heidi Dugal had replaced Senecal but returned last fall to Gabriel Abbott School in Florida to become principal there.
This past school year, Senecal has worked two days a week at Savoy, sharing her administrative duties with Susan O'Grady, the special educational instructor, who was in charge whenever Senecal was not there.
Enter Anne Mahoney, a Berkshire native who recently settled with her family in Williamstown after 18 years teaching in the Lowell school system. Mahoney will take over as Savoy principal on July 1, letting Senecal retire — again.
"I loved all the years spent here. I will miss all the kids and families who have become an extended family for me," said Senecal on Friday at picnic at the school. "I will especially miss the teachers; it really is a great staff here full of energetic and wonderfully dedicated teachers."
The dedication of the teachers shows in how long they have been at Savoy School, she said. The newest teacher has been here for four or five years, but most have been there for 20 or more years.
Among the most senior is second- and third-grade teacher Daniel Wilk, who is retiring this year after teaching at Savoy for 34 years.
Mahoney was one of three final candidates for the position, said Northern Berkshire School Union Superintendent Jonathon Lev. Mahoney, he said, "really stood out and really impressed [the Savoy School Committee] because she grew up in a small town and, throughout the interviews, she showed that she could relate to small schools like Savoy."
Savoy Elementary School serves 58 students from preschool through fifth grade. Because of its small size, teachers and administration are able to provide more individual attention. Senecal said the intimate, friendly atmosphere enables the parents to know they are welcome to call or come in anytime.
 Superintendent Jonathon Lev, center, speaks with School Committee Chairman Chris Andersen. Left, with committee members Gail Carlow and Beth Cote. |
Savoy is a member of the school union along with Gabriel Abbott and Clarksburg Elementary. Lev, formerly the special education director, was named superintendent this past January, after stepping in as interim leader last July after Jay Barry left.
Mahoney joins Dugal and Clarksburg Principal Karen Gallese in the union; Lev's post as special education director was fill by Deb Rosselli in January.
"Her personality, her grant experience, and her teamwork skills made her the right choice for a school like Savoy," said School Committee Chairman Chris Andersen, who served on the principal search committee.
After meeting Mahoney and having her join the picnic, Senecal said, "she will be a great match and I feel comfortable in retiring, knowing the school will be in good hands."
Mahoney attended Lesley College in Cambridge for her undergraduate degree and also holds a master's degree in technology and education and her principal's certification.
She said the idea of coming to a small school appealed to her because she attended a small school while living in Lenox Dale and knows what students from a small school are interested in.
"And though I have gained a lot from my professional life in big schools, it is so much more interesting and you can get more done with a small school, said Mahoney. "What really drew me to Savoy is that I will be both a teacher and an administrative leader. I know that Marge will be hard to replace and that she is greatly loved by all. But I look forward to what I can give to Savoy."
As for Senecal, she's looking forward to "cleaning my house, going out to breakfast with my friends and sleeping late." |
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