Sargent School Principal Resigns Over Commute

Principal Varsha Desai has submitted her resignation, which be effective June 30, after less than a year on the job.

Desai made the decision to leave the North Andover school system to be closer to her home in Grafton and discussed her decision recently with fellow teachers, the Sargent School PTO and Superintendent Chris Hottel.

"Ms. Desai has shared with me her concerns about the effect the long commute from her home is having and about her desire to continue her career in educational administration closer to home," Superintendent Chris Hottel said. "I want to thank Ms. Desai for all the work she has done in working with Sargent students, staff and parents this year."

Desai will stay for the remainder of the school year, and Hottel said he is already looking for a replacement.

"We will be posting and advertising the position immediately, and will be meeting with parents to design an inclusive process for screening and interviewing candidates and for selecting a new principal," Hottel said. "Although we are well along in the school year, if we begin the search process now, I am confident that we will be successful, and your participation as members of the Sargent community will be crucial."

Desai has not been in town long. She started her job as Sargent principal in the summer of 2010. She was previously a teacher in the Shrewsbury public school system.