Published: 7/19/2016 10:59:08 PM
BUCKLAND — Former Amherst Regional Middle School principal Marisa Mendonsa of Florence has been hired for the newly created co-principal position at the Mohawk Trail Regional School.
Mendonsa will begin her new role on Aug. 1, according to Mohawk Trail Regional School District Superintendent Michael Buoniconti.
“With the hiring of Principal Mendonsa, Mohawk is introducing a co-principal administrative model, new to the district, but not new altogether,” Buoniconti said. “Nearby Mahar Regional School, also a combined middle/high school, recently introduced a co-principal structure with a great deal of success. By combining the traditional principal and vice principal responsibilities and dividing (them) equally among two principals, Mohawk is striving to deliver an even higher level of educational leadership at a more sustainable level for its administrators.”
Mendonsa, who earned her post-master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2011, had been principal of the Amherst Regional Middle School from 2014 until this summer. Before that, from 2012 to 2014, she was principal of the John J. Duggan Middle School in Springfield.
“I’m really excited about learning about the towns and the people here,” said Mendonsa, who grew up in western Massachusetts. “I know it’s really beautiful. I’m also really excited about working with Principal Dole and exploring a new principal model with the staff, teachers and students.”
Mendonsa signed a three-year contract and will co-lead the school with current principal Lynn Dole.
Buoniconti said that “meet the new principal” gatherings will be organized before the new school year begins for students, staff and community members.