Plummer was a science teacher at Amherst public schools and a department head. He is currently Birchland Park Middle School assistant principal in East Longmeadow.
Paul Plummer is the new principal of Michael E. Smith Middle School in South Hadley SOUTH HADLEY — Paul Plummer begins work July 1 as the new principal at Michael E. Smith Middle School in South Hadley.
Superintendent Nicholas Young announced his selection of Plummer on Wednesday. Young said Plummer has a three-year contract with a starting salary of $92,000.
“Paul has a great understanding of the unique challenges of the middle school” environment, Young said. Plummer “is very student centered. He works well with faculty and parents. He has the right temperament and experience and an enormous amount of enthusiasm."
Prior to making the appointment, the new principal was interviewed by the school board and the community was invited to ask questions.
Plummer stressed his managerial orientation to include staff in decision making, his roots as a science teacher and commitment to children.
“I never forget what it is to be a teacher,” he told the school board and members of the community at the June 10 interview. “You never forget students. It is a team effort, that is a large part of my philosophy.”
Plummer was a science teacher at Amherst public schools and a department head. He is currently Birchland Park Middle School assistant principal in East Longmeadow.
Plummer earned a bachelor of science degree in biological science from Cornell University and a master of science degree from the State University of New York.
South Hadley middle school Principal Erica Faginski-Stark is being promoted to director of curriculum and grants manager.