UPDATED: Lincoln-Sudbury Appoints New Finance Director

Michael Connelly admits the excitement of a new job at is a bit offset by the relationships he'll leave behind in Wakefield.

But the current Wakefield business administrator said the opportunity to join L-S as its new finance director was something he couldn't turn down.

"I sort of decided a month or two ago to start looking for new opportunities," said Connelly, who was unanimously voted in by the L-S Regional High School Committee on Monday. "When I saw the Lincoln-Sudbury opening and did some research, it seemed as a very professional, prestigious organization."

Connelly has spent the last four years serving as Wakefield's business administrator. He'll begin his new position at L-S on July 1 with mixed emotions.

"Anytime you move on, especially when you have devoted so much time and energy in your current position and developed close relationships ... it's going to be a difficult few months when I move on in July," he said. "It's never easy. I'm certainly excited, but it's never easy to move on."

Connelly said he met with Superintendent/Principal Scott Carpenter and the school committee last week and came away feeling immediately welcomed.

"I got the impression they were highly professional, extremely enthusiastic about education and improving opportunities for students," he said. "That came out first and foremost."

Connelly also coaches cross country at Reading High School and says if the opportunity arises to apply for a coaching position at L-S he hopes to at least pursue it.

"I would plan to have conversations with Superintendent Carpenter on coaching," he said. "I would welcome that at L-S. It’s a passion of mine. And it helps me stay sensitive to issues going on with students, parents and faculty. It's been a super positive thing to keep that connection to the students."

Connelly's past professional experience includes working as the assistant business administrator for the Wellesley School District and director of finance and operations for Excel Charter School in East Boston.

L-S’s former finance director, Judy Belliveau, last month took a job as business manager of the Wellesley Public Schools system.

A call to Carpenter seeking comment was not immediately returned.

In a press release sent to Sudbury Patch, it was annoucned the district will employ an interim director until Connelly begins.

"Mr. Connelly comes to LSRHS with a strong reputation for clarity and transparency," the release read. "Mr. Connelly’s colleagues in Wakefield spoke highly of his strengths in financial reporting, valuing the process, accessibility, presenting budgets, and gathering consensus from all stakeholders in the district."