AMHERST — In the midst of a search for a permanent principal to oversee the Amherst Regional Middle School, a new interim principal is being appointed for the remainder of the school year.

Families were notified Friday by Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman that Juan Rodriguez, the assistant principal, will take over as interim principal through the end of June.

The decision to appoint Rodriguez to the position comes after Michael Sullivan, the interim principal for this school year, departed at the end of the day Friday. Sullivan in January submitted a resignation for personal reasons, effective Feb. 28.

The change in leadership comes as Herman has what she describes as three strong candidates to choose from for a permanent principal, one who will be aligned with the district vision and understanding the complexities and opportunities of leading the middle school.

“The history of leadership at ARMS and the evolving needs of the school community are at the forefront of my decision-making process, ensuring that we select a principal who will foster stability, academic excellence, and a positive school culture for years to come,” Herman wrote.

There has been significant instability at the middle school, though, with Principal Diego Sharon announcing he would be leaving in February 2023, in the middle of his third year, and then High School Principal Talib Sadiq overseeing both schools for much of the 2023-2024 school year. Last May, Sadiq stepped away from the middle school position, leading to interim assistant principals Doreen Reid and Rich Ferro running the school through the end of the school year.

At the same time, Sullivan, a retired Gill-Montague superintendent who also oversaw Hampshire Regional Schools on a temporary basis, was named to the interim position for the 2024-2025 school year.

Herman thanked Sullivan for his “invaluable service” and “unwavering commitment” to the school.

“His dedication, knowledge and wisdom have been instrumental in guiding our school community through a critical period of transition. We are truly appreciative of his leadership and the steady foundation he has provided to ARMS,” she wrote.

The selection of Rodriguez helps to maintain continuity for students, staff and families, and he has a waiver from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the appropriate principal license.

Sullivan’s departure came two days after he made a presentation to the Amherst Regional School Committee announcing the likely loss of five teachers, or a full team, at the middle school for the 2025-2026 school year. That decision came under criticism from middle school teacher Mick O’Connor, who read a letter stating that core teacher cuts had been announced to staff on Feb. 14, with no input before that decision was made. “It is a mistake to cut core teaching positions,” O’Connor said.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com,