WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Mount Greylock Principal Mary MacDonald surprised many in the school community this week by announcing that she will be stepping down this summer from the post she has held since 2013.

 

But the move came as no surprise to her boss.

 

"With her being at the helm in everything we've been through — regionalization, the building project — with the hours that were put in … last year, when we had an English position open, Mary talked to me about stepping down at that point," Mount Greylock Regional School District Superintendent Kimberley Grady said this week.

 

But MacDonald agreed to stay in the principal's chair to help provide continuity after a period when the district went through several administrative changes.

 

"Another position opened up that she expressed interest in, and this year she came to me earlier and discussed it," Grady said. "I received her letter a week and a half ago, but I wanted her on her terms to be able to talk to her faculty and staff."

 

After notifying her colleagues, MacDonald, who has taught at Mount Greylock and in Lenox as well as in New York City, sent an email to families at the middle-high school.

 

"I have the greatest respect and affection for the school community, and it has been a privilege and honor to  serve as principal," MacDonald wrote. "That said, returning to the classroom as a teacher in the tradition of past administrators is something I have contemplated seriously during the past year, and it is time for me to make that transition."

 

During her nearly 30 years as an educator, MacDonald had taught English in schools in New York and Lenox. The Connecticut native left Lenox Memorial High after seven years to become coordinator of curriculum, instruction and assessment of what was then the "Tri-School District" in 2012. She moved into the principal's post when it opened less than a year later. 

 

Grady said the School Committee was aware of MacDonald's plans and that the principal position will be posted right away with the hope of having a replacement on board before MacDonald's last day on June 30.

 

"This is the ideal time to start looking for building administrators," Grady said. "That's why she gave it to me when she did. We wanted there to be a full search cycle."