SWAMPSCOTT – After almost three years at the helm of Swampscott High School, principal Larry Murphy is stepping down at the end of the school year.
Superintendent Matthew Malone told the School Committee at its meeting Tuesday evening that Murphy is leaving the district June 30 when his three-year contract expires.
Murphy was hired in April 2006 and he started work July 1 of that year. Prior to his tenure in Swampscott, Murphy served as principal of Conant High School in Jaffrey, N.H.
Murphy said he loves the community and high school but he is looking for opportunities a little closer to his home in Winchendon.
?I really have mixed emotions,” he said. “I love the school but during the week I live in Salem and I spend weekends at our primary residence in Winchendon. I would stay here if this were our primary residence. I don’t have anything else lined up but I wanted to give the district enough notice to start a search.”
Murphy said he accepted the position because he believed the school had a lot of potential and he has no regrets.
?It has been wonderful,” he said. “I think we have accomplished a lot in my time here. We have improved the curriculum, added new courses and hired really good teachers. We have tried to connect with the kids and personalize learning. Our MCAS and SAT scores have improved.”
Murphy said one of the things he is most proud of is the improved climate at the high school.
?The kids are happy,” he said. “The teachers and parents are happy. There is a warm and inviting atmosphere here, which is a tribute to the students and faculty. I have done what I came here to do.”
School Committee Chairman David Whelan said Murphy has done a commendable job particularly during the transition to the new high school.
?We all appreciated the work he did,” Whelan said. “I certainly wish him well as he plans for the next stage in his life.”
Malone told the School Committee he wants to use a professional search consultant to find Murphy’s replacement because it yields better results.
?It takes politics out of the process,” he said. “A consultant has the ability to attract more applicants and a higher quality of applicants.”
Malone said a search consultant would cost approximately $11,500 but he said it’s money well spent. He used recent superintendent searches in Lynn and Worcester as an example to prove his point. Lynn did not use a search consultant and had only nine applicants for the superintendent position but Malone said Worcester, which used a search consultant, had 50 applicants.
