UPDATED: Elementary School Principal Leaving Framingham

Originally posted at 3:45 p.m. Updated at 4:12 p.m. with announcement if interim principal.

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Hemeneway Elementary School Principal Lucia Laguarda is leaving the Framingham Public School District after 5 years.

She sent an email to families this afternoon, July 16. Her resignation is effective July 31.

“I have been offered and accepted a position as the Director of Professional Personnel in the town of Riverhead, New York. I will primarily over-see the four elementary schools and the principals and staff as well as support hiring, evaluations and professional development for the schools. I have been a principal for 15 years so this position really excites me and will challenge me,” wrote Laguarda.

“Of course, moving away from Hemenway makes me sad. I have loved every moment of the last five years being Principal at Hemenway. I realize that Hemenway is a special place because of our families and because of our staff. It is a home away from home,” wrote Laguarda, who split her time last year as both principal at Hemenway Elementary and King Elementary.

Due to Ms. Laguarda’s resignation, Superintendent Stacy Scott has selected Elizabeth (Liz) Simon as the Interim Principal at Hemenway Elementary. The announcement was made in a press release today at 4:05 p.m.

Simon will begin her duties on August 3, 2015 and assume all leadership roles as the Hemenway building principal for the 2015-2016 school year.

“I am pleased that I am leaving Hemenway in good shape and good hands. I believe that an effective transition plan is being put in place to carry forward the work we have developed,” said Laguarda in a press release.

Simon has just completed her third year as vice principal at Hemenway. She has been with the Framingham Public Schools since 1987 serving as Guidance Counselor at Barbieri Elementary School for five years and then as a Guidance Counselor at Hemenway for twenty years. Prior to Framingham Public Schools, Ms. Simon worked eleven years as a Special Education Teacher at both the elementary and secondary level.

“I feel that I am part of the Hemenway family and I am honored to be selected by Dr. Scott to serve the Hemenway students, staff and community,” said Simon.

With Simon’s appointment, an interim vice principal position will need to be filled. This position has been posted.

A search process will be started shortly with the intentions of filling the position by the start of the 2015-2016 school year.

Interested community and staff members should contact Simon for participation in the search process.

During the fall of 2015, Scott will consider the permanent filling of the Hemenway Elementary Principal. All stakeholders will be provided with different outreach opportunities to offer input into that process