BUCKLAND — A finalist for the co-principal position at Mohawk Trail Regional School has instead taken a job closer to his home in Winchester, N.H.
Former Pioneer Valley Regional School acting Principal Michael Duprey is now principal of Winchester School, a New Hampshire school of roughly 475 students from preschool ages through Grade 8.
Duprey, who resigned from PVRS in May after 26 years, was one of two finalists for the new position of co-principal at the Mohawk Trail Regional School.
The other finalist for Mohawk co-principal is Marisa Mendonsa, former principal of the Amherst Regional Middle School.
“I was excited to be a finalist at Mohawk,” said Duprey, “but I actually needed to make a decision quickly. I weighed all my options, obviously.” Duprey noted that the Winchester School is only one mile from his home. “It will be an exciting challenge,” he said.
When contacted earlier this week to find out if one of the two finalists had been chosen, Superintendent Michael Buoniconti said a “tentative agreement” had been reached with one of the two finalists, but that an announcement wouldn’t be made until next week.
Buoniconti was contacted again, after The Recorder learned Duprey had taken another job. Buoniconti, who is attending a superintendents’ annual conference this week, sent an email saying he would make a public announcement on Monday, after the employment contract is signed.
Both Duprey and Mendonsa came to Mohawk last Thursday to meet with the school community there. The new co-principal is to share duties running the middle and high school with current Principal Lynn Dole.