HATFIELD — A Pittsfield principal will take over as the new superintendent for Hatfield public schools.
Martin McEvoy was named to the position by a unanimous vote of the School Committee on March 28, said Chairwoman Heather Cahill. On Tuesday, McEvoy sent a letter of acceptance that will allow contract negotiations to begin.
McEvoy, of Pittsfield and principal at Herberg Middle School in that city, will replace John Robert, who retires July 1 after a decade in the position.
In an email Friday, McEvoy wrote that he is thrilled to be named to the position and looks forward to leading the schools through the current educational landscape.
“I feel privileged to be chosen to serving a district with such a proud tradition of doing great things for its students in a community that strongly supports and values its schools,” McEvoy said.
McEvoy was selected from a field of eight semifinalists who were interviewed by a preliminary search committee made up of parents, teachers, administrators, and residents
He was one of three finalists, along with Karen Ferradino, director of special education at Frontier Regional School and William Bazyk, superintendent of schools for the Battenkill Valley Supervisory Union in Arlington, Vermont.
Only two finalists ended up being interviewed after one dropped out for personal reasons, Cahill said. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the remaining candidates were interviewed publicly utilizing Zoom, which also provided an opportunity for the public to comment.
In addition to his current role, McEvoy served as principal of Lanesborough Elementary School and vice-principal for curriculum and instruction at the Hoosac Valley Middle and High School in Cheshire. He earned his doctorate of education from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
