Northampton High School Principal Bryan Lombardi presents a diploma to Bryce Wall as Superintendent John Provost and Mayor David Narkewicz, left, wait to congratulate him, during the school's 150th graduation exercises held in June 2016 at John M. Greene Hall on the campus of Smith College.
Northampton High School Principal Bryan Lombardi presents a diploma to Bryce Wall as Superintendent John Provost and Mayor David Narkewicz, left, wait to congratulate him, during the school's 150th graduation exercises held in June 2016 at John M. Greene Hall on the campus of Smith College. Credit: GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

NORTHAMPTON — After more than a decade at Northampton High School, Principal Bryan Lombardi will be leaving this summer to become principal of Stoneham High School, north of Boston.

“It is with a significant lump in my throat and pain in my heart that I inform you that I have resigned from my position of principal of Northampton High School to be effective at the end of this school year,” Lombardi said in a letter announcing his resignation in late May.

Lombardi, 51, came to the high school in 2007 as associate principal before becoming principal in 2013. Stoneham High School has 669 students, in comparison to Northampton High School’s enrollment of 849.

“I’m originally from eastern Massachusetts, and I felt the desire to get closer to my family who’s out there,” he said of a reason for his departure.

Lombardi said he has been contemplating a move for a couple of years. Last year, he was a finalist for a principal position at Reading Memorial High School, which is next to Stoneham.

“It’s been a very hard process,” he said. “​There’s a piece of me that will always remain in Northampton, it’s a phenomenal school of superb educators, community and stellar students that make working here probably the best job around.”

During his tenure, Lombardi said, the school added electives and AP courses and put more resources into fine and performing arts programs. Part-time band and choral positions were made full-time and arts became a graduation requirement, for example.

Connections were also an accomplishment for Lombardi. “I’m very happy and proud of the relationships that I’ve formed with my students, teachers and community members,”  he said.

Because Lombardi resigned late in the academic year, Superintendent John Provost said, it is too late to find a permanent principal for next year and involve students, school faculty and parents in the selection process. Provost said he plans to post the principal position next October and by December, narrow in on a finalist who could start either in the spring semester or the following school year. In the meantime, Lori Vaillancourt, currently an associate principal, will serve as interim principal.

“I’ve been grateful for his leadership of the high school over the past several years,” Provost said of Lombardi, “and I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

Greta Jochem can be reached at gjochem@gazettenet.com.