GREENFIELD — Effective July 1, Discovery School at Four Corners Principal Michael Browning will take the helm at Greenfield High School following Principal Derek Morrison’s June 1 departure.

The superintendent’s office publicized Browning’s acceptance of the role in this month’s parent’s update newsletter, which also stated the school district is now searching for the best candidate to assume Browning’s position at Four Corners.

Browning, who spent the last three years leading Four Corners following his prior three years as associate principal at Greenfield Middle School, said he is looking forward to reconnecting with some of the same students he oversaw at the middle school, now at the high school level.

“I was over there the other day and saw a number of them. It was just so neat to see them as they’re growing in their experience and in life in general,” Browning said. “I have those relationships with them already, so I’m excited about reuniting and building off of those relationships so we can grow that school’s culture in a way that it continues to be a place where they want to be and want to learn.”

In his new position, Browning said he aims to focus on the goals and priorities identified in the district’s five-year strategic plan, which was approved by the School Committee in June. The plan sets milestones for the district to work toward “quality instructional programs,” building and maintaining relationships through communication and outreach, and fostering a “welcoming environment” in which all students can learn.

Additionally, Browning said he hopes to educate students on the array of wraparound services and programs that the district offers, such as the high school’s dual enrollment program with Greenfield Community College, and potentially expand programs and learning to better prepare students for the modern world. In the last 10 years, Browning said opportunities for graduating high school students to learn trades or attend college virtually have grown significantly.

“We want to make sure we have students who are prepared to be team players and understand how to work collaboratively. Those weren’t things that we were really prepared with in the past when we went out and stepped into that workforce,” Browning said. “We’re in a neat, neat time in history. Because there are so many different opportunities, schooling looks so different. Now, when you step out of high school and head on to that next career, there’s a lot of different ways that can look. It’s really about opening their eyes and seeing how we’re best preparing them for those many opportunities out there that aren’t necessarily so traditional.”

Morrison has served as principal since January 2022. Although Morrison declined to comment on the reasoning behind his exit from Greenfield High School, he said he is proud of the school’s growth over the course of two years.

“We have shown academic improvement, we’ve shown attendance improvement, we’ve shown, overall, school culture improvement as well. Those three areas are really just helping us move forward,” Morrison said. “It’s tangible to anybody that comes in — they can see and feel it. I’m definitely proud of the work we’ve done and I’m going to miss the students here for sure.”

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.