Adams-Cheshire Hopes to Have Hoosac Principal by May
 Principal Vince Regan helps students with new technology at Hoosac Valley last year. The School Committee is seeking a replacement for Regan, who leaves at the end of the year. |
CHESHIRE, Mass. — Hoosac Valley Middle and High School may have a new principal by the third week in May.
Current Principal Vince Regan will leave Hoosac Valley at the end of the school year after two years because his wife will be doing her medical residency in Springfield.
Superintendent Kristin Gordon said on Monday that there are 12 possible candidates for the position and interviews with six of them will be held Thursday with a 10-member committee.
"I think a lot will depend on how Thursday goes, but I am really determined to get the best candidate," Gordon said.
After Thursday, there may be followup interviews or school visits for candidates who are current principals or vice principals.
"You can get a sense of the school and what it's all about with visits," Gordon said.
Gordon said she would like to hire someone who can bring together the Hoosac Valley staff. Because of the quick opening of the new high school with the middle school, and the mixing of new teachers from different schools in the district, Gordon feels as though the staff could be brought together in a more cohesive way.
"We just put them together, and we never did anything in terms of getting to know each other," she said. "I am looking for someone who can take care of the academic part, the needs of the students, but also the needs of the staff and continue to bring them together cohesively."
Gordon said she wants to hire someone who can move the school forward with all of the state initiatives as well.
She added that she would like to hire someone quickly because many of the applicants may have applied at other schools and she wants to give the new principal time to be able to transition into the new position.
Gordon said along with many other qualities, she wants the new principal to love the kids.
"One of my most favorite interview questions is 'what do you want the kids to say about you in 10 years from now,' "she said.
Regan was appointed just as the high school and middle school students were being relocated to the newly renovated Hoosac Valley. He replaced Henry Duval, who stepped down after eight years as principal to become the assistant so he could work with closer with students.
Tags: HVHS, principal,
