SWAMPSCOTT — Kathleen Huntley will be the new Stanley School principal, effective March 18.
Superintendent Pamela Angelakis made the announcement last week in a press release. Huntley, the current interim principal at Hadley School, will replace Lois Longin, Stanley’s interim principal who took over for Thomas Shannon Daniels last February.
“We are thrilled to have someone with Kathleen’s level of experience leading Stanley School,” Angelakis said in the press release. “In her brief time at Hadley, she has earned the respect and admiration of students, staff, and parents, while getting to know our district. Stanley will be a great fit for her.”
Huntley became Hadley’s interim principal in November, after Ilana Bebchick went on maternity leave. In the press release, Huntley said she is happy working in the Swampscott district, given so many people at the Hadley School stepped up to the plate to make her feel fully supported.
Huntley, an Andover resident with her husband,Wayne, has three adult children. Her professional career includes serving as the principal of Abbot School, a third through fifth grade school in Westford, from 2015 to 2018.
Before becoming an administrator, Huntley taught science at all levels, including as an adjunct professor at Merrimack College.
Bebchick is scheduled to return to Hadley by March 4, according to the press release. Huntley will work with Bebchick and Longin at both elementary schools until she takes over the full position of Stanley principal two weeks later.
Huntley said she is looking forward to leading Stanley.
“I’m excited about making sure the culture of inclusivity is very well,” said Huntley. “It’s something you can feel when you walk into a school building. There’s a level of comfort and people are happy and feel respected, that matters to me deeply. I place an emphasis on collaboration and a ‘we can’ mindset for students and staff.”
