ERVING — Following the resignation of Erving Elementary School Principal Lisa Candito, veteran educator David Krane has come out of retirement to serve as the school’s interim principal.

Krane, who spent 12 of his 25 years as an elementary school educator serving as principal for his hometown Acton-Boxborough Regional School District, had his first day of work in Erving last week. This will be his second time serving in an interim role since he retired in 2021, having spent four months as an interim assistant principal for the same district.

Now living in Heath, Krane’s primary goal is to get better acquainted with the area, the school community and the school’s plan to ensure a smooth transition into having a permanent principal.

“It gives the districts a chance to catch their breath, make sure that routines are handled, routines are continued, the culture of the school is maintained and it gives them an opportunity — at least at the elementary level, from my experience — to really do a comprehensive search for my successor, which would be a principal to start next summer,” Krane said, explaining that he expects his employment to continue until June 30, 2024.

Former Principal Lisa Candito resigned in mid-June following an administrative leave that lasted more than a month. School district officials have declined on multiple occasions to comment on the circumstances of her leave.

Krane said he intends for his tenure to be a step toward having “consistency in leadership,” an element of schooling that he considers particularly vital for elementary-age children. He reasoned that such stability would fit the nature of Erving Elementary School, which he described as a cherished pillar of the town’s identity across generations.

“This school is almost like the backbone of this community. Everyone supports this school,” Krane said of what he has already observed during his short time in Erving. “It’s an important part of what makes this school such a cohesive place.”

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.