Schools Superintendent John Buckey announced that Marblehead High School Assistant Principal Michele Carlson will become the new principal at MHS, replacing Dan Bauer, who is leaving this summer to become superintendent in Danvers. Buckey also recommended Julia Ferreira, the assistant principal at Veterans Middle School, to become Marblehead’s new assistant superintendent, replacing Nan Murphy, who is leaving to become superintendent in Dedham.
Buckey said he was pleased to promote two internal candidates, “both of whom were highly recommended by the search committees and by their current principals.”
“We are thrilled to see the investment in mentoring has resulted in these two internal candidates advancing within our district,” Buckey added. “Both educators will have an opportunity to work closely with their predecessors over the next three months to learn even more about these roles before taking the positions on July 1. Their knowledge of the district enables them to hit the ground running and to continue the good work being done in curriculum, instruction and assessment at MHS and across MPS.”
School Committee Chair Sarah Fox told the Current Thursday afternoon, “I’m excited to see how both people can grow into their new roles and serve our students.” Fox served on the assistant superintendent search committee and said, “I’m very excited that she is Dr. Buckey’s recommendation.”
Carlson has been assistant principal at MHS for the past nine years. She previously worked as a classroom teacher and department coordinator at Wakefield Memorial High School. Carlson is currently completing a Doctor of Education degree in leadership from New England University and is expected to graduate in May. The focus of her dissertation is student engagement after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ferreira has been at the Veterans School since 2020 and previously served as assistant principal in California at Freedom High School, where she also worked as an English teacher and team leader. Before that, she was an English teacher and department chair at Oakland Military Institute College Preparatory Academy for six years.
The School Committee approves the contracts for both positions and has final say on the assistant superintendent hire. It will review Buckey’s recommendation and contracts (if they are ready) at its meeting on Thussday, April 6.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist who has written hundreds of stories for local newspapers, including the Marblehead Reporter.