SHEFFIELD, Mass. — Mount Everett Regional School will have a new principal in Jesse Carpenter, beginning July 1. 

 

Carpenter will replace longtime principal and educator Glenn Devoti, who is retiring this summer. Superintendent of Schools Beth Regalbuto announced her decision to promote Carpenter, currently assistant principal, in a email to the Southern Berkshire Regional school community on Sunday evening. 

 

"I have thought about this a lot. To me, a critical part of the work a superintendent does is hiring a great leadership team," she wrote. "I think it's important to be sensitive to the fact that we are losing someone who has been with us for 26 years, to the amount of significant change we have been dealing with, and the work we are doing to strengthen the culture of our school community."

 

Describing finding Devoti's replacement as an "incredibly formidable task," Regalbuto added that there are not enough qualified and certified candidates to fill openings in the Berkshires and across the state. 

 

"I think sometimes there is a great benefit to bringing in new people from the outside, and at other times I believe it is good to look at the potential from within," she wrote. "These were some of the factors I took into account as I made my decision."

 

Carpenter has been employed in the district since 1998 as teacher, athletic director and coach. He was named assistant to the principal in addition to his other duties at the beginning of the year and has served as acting principal as needed. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in English and is licensed as a certified administrator. 

 

"I have found him to surpass all expectations that were set for him," the superintendent wrote. "Jesse has done a great job balancing his classroom responsibilities with his administrative responsibilities, and he has demonstrated poise, dedication, and a deep commitment to the district and to meeting the vision we collaboratively have set for the success of our students."

 

Devoti was honored at a tribute concert on May 16 that recognized his 26 years in the district and his commitment to the students and their educational needs. 

 

Regalbuto also reported that four of the five towns in the regional school district approved the budget, enough for its passage. Alford was the one town to vote it down on May 14 by three votes. All five towns approved an amendment to the Regional Agreement that changes how the annual assessment formula is calculated so they can predict costs better. 

 

Business Administrator Chris Regan is the recipient of the John F. Conway Distinguished Service Award, presented by the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials. The award was made at the annual dinner on May 16. The award recognizes the accomplishments of MASBO members relative to effectively enhancing the district's educational mission. The recipient receives a plaque to commemorate the award, and the school district receives a $1,000 check in her name. Regan will be honored locally at the June 13 School Committee meeting.