HATFIELD — A new principal will be coming to Hatfield Elementary School in mid-March as the building’s most recent leader moves to Smith Academy this week.
With Conor Driscoll assuming the Smith Academy principalship Monday, after serving at the helm of the elementary school since July 1, 2020, Melissa Pitrat, a Hatfield resident and six-year principal of Sheffield Elementary School in Turners Falls, is being hired to fill the vacancy.
“We’re very happy Melissa is able to join us,” Superintendent Michael Wood told the School Committee Wednesday. Wood, who hired as interim superintendent, recently had that tag removed and is now in a permanent role.
Wood said Pitrat brings 23 years of educational experience. Pitrat will begin her tenure March 21, with the start date coinciding with the Gill-Montague Regional School District getting her replacement, Wood said.
In the intervening weeks, Wood will serve as the interim principal, similar to the role he held after Christopher Buckland was hired to be principal at Mohawk Trail Regional School starting in January.
Driscoll, meantime, told the School Committee that staff and students were “unbelievably welcoming” this week, and his first days included being the substitute teacher for two classes.
“I’m impressed by the caliber of young men and women,” Driscoll said. “They’re polite, they’re respectful, they’re engaging.”
He will spend his initial months working with staff to identify strengths and where improvements need to be made.
“We’re very excited to see you here in your new role,” said Chairwoman Rebecca Bench.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com,
