HATFIELD — Christopher Buckland, the director of a ninth-grade program at the High School of Commerce in Springfield, will be the new principal at Smith Academy, starting in July.
A search committee interviewed five candidates and the district identified three finalists: Buckland, Robert Marchewka, assistant principal of East Longmeadow High School, and Karin Patenaude, principal of Greenfield High School. All finalists visited the school and spoke with students and staff, along with attending an evening meeting for town community members, according to Superintendent John Robert.
“There were three very strong candidates and they each had something to offer, but I felt in the end that Mr. Buckland was the best match for what Smith Academy needs right now,” Robert said.
He said he got “overwhelmingly positive” feedback on Buckland. “I think people were drawn to his background,” Robert said. “He has certainly been in various roles.”
Buckland, 45 and originally from England, has worked in education in Springfield and all over the world. He has served as the head of teaching and learning at a bilingual school in Buenos Aires and as a coordinator at an international school in Windhoek, Namibia. While working abroad, he met his wife, who is from Holyoke, and they later decided to move back to the Valley and currently live in Florence.
Earlier this month, Buckland visited the school. “I really liked the size and the community feeling of the school and how everybody has a chance to get to know everybody else,” he said.
Of his goals, Buckland said, “I think I want to continue to build on the strong relationship with the community and the fine work of Dr. Berrios and David (Keir) — and to continue to push college and career readiness for all students,” he said.
On Wednesday, Buckland signed a three-year contract. His salary starts at $110,000.
The school’s last principal, Andrew Berrios, announced in October he was leaving mid-year to be principal at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Enfield, Connecticut, which has a larger student body than Smith Academy’s enrollment of about 200.
“There’s nothing negative to say about here and why I’m leaving,” Berrios said in the fall about his decision. “It’s strictly for growth.”
However, he acknowledged his timing wasn’t perfect. “When I got the call,” he said of when he got his new job, “that’s obviously my thought, ‘ah middle of the school year.’ I really took some time to think about it.”
Former health teacher and athletic director David Keir, who retired in 2018 after a 35-year career, came back to be interim principal after Berrios’ departure.
Buckland said is excited to start at Smith Academy. “I’m really enjoyed working in Springfield and I’m looking forward to this challenge and working with all the great people that I’ve already met … I’m excited to throw myself into it.”
Greta Jochem can be reached at gjochem@gazettenet.com.