BERNARDSTON — An interim principal has been hired for Bernardston Elementary School following the retirement of Bob Clancy.
Kelly Carriere was hired as the new principal under a one-year contract, with the possibility of extension, Superintendent Jonathan Scagel said.
To give community members, student families and staff a chance to get to know Carriere, there will be a meet and greet at the school on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Lemonade and cookies will be provided by the Parent Teacher Organization.
Carriere earned her doctorate in special education, the same field as her master’s, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Prior to coming to Bernardston, she ran Community House, a residential day school in Brattleboro, Vt. “for students with emotional and behavioral disabilities.”
Other professional experiences of Carriere’s include working as an adjunct faculty member in special education law at Mount Holyoke College and heading up Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings to craft plans for school services.
“I’m excited to be working with a smaller community again,” Carriere said of her transition to Bernardston.
Hailing from Southampton, Carriere has been living just over the border in Vermont for four years now. Still, she noted her commute to Bernardston Elementary is only about seven minutes.
Carriere recalled how Southampton closed part of its elementary school due to declining enrollment when she was growing up. Similarly, Leyden closed its Pearl Rhodes Elementary School in the spring, and the town’s students will go to Bernardston Elementary starting this fall.
“I can appreciate what people have gone through with that,” she explained.
Carriere said she is looking forward to being a part of public schools again following her time in residential education programs. According to Carriere, public schools generally have a stronger network and support system.
“They have more of a family based collaboration,” she said. “Even just to start with a meet and greet, I’m excited for that.”
With new faculty members and students coming from Leyden, she said her first piece of business will be to ensure everyone feels comfortable at the school.
“Whether you were a Bernardston employee, a Pearl Rhodes employee or student before,” Carriere said, “I want to make sure everyone feels like it’s their school.”
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 264.