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SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD – During a special meeting on August 24, the Spencer-East Brookfield School Committee voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Superintendent Paul Haughey, effective August 30.
Members also voted unanimously to appoint Gary Suter, (the business manager) as interim superintendent effective immediately.
Chair Jeffrey Sauvageau thanked Haughey for his eight years of service to the district, noting he led them through the high school project, “You brought us through COVID, you brought us through so many challenges,” he said. “I don’t think we could have fared as well as we did if we didn’t have someone with your communication skills, your knowledge and your expertise.”
Sauvageau said the committee would work with legal counsel and human resources to initiate a search for Haughey’s replacement.
Member Jason Monette, who was previously co-chair, noted, “We’ve been through quite a bit. We’ve had some roller coasters and some fun times.”
Current co-chair Heather Messier echoed his thoughts, expressing appreciation to Haughey for helping “weather many storms…You’ve been a great leader and communicator –always advocating for the students in the district. I appreciate all your hard work over eight years.”
Haughey responded, “Eight years goes quick…It’s quite a window of time.”
He expressed appreciation to the committee as well as the communities of Spencer and East Brookfield for their support of the students over the years.
He said he would talk more to faculty and staff at the convocation.
Mentioning their support particularly during COVID, he said, “It was not a fun experience. I don’t wish that on anybody. To be fair, we weathered it well compared to some others.”
Haughey added that what makes the district so special is “the people inside the district, inside the operation day to day…I’m going to miss them greatly.”
He concluded his remarks by saying it was an honor and privilege to serve as superintendent.
The vote for Suter to step into the role immediately, pending contract negotiations followed.
Sauvageau thanked him for “stepping up.”
The chair said, “We have a lot of work ahead of us to perform a thorough search for a full-time superintendent over the next few weeks and months.” Despite that task, he spoke about his confidence about where the district is heading and starting the school year with a new high school.
