By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Huckleberry Hill School has found its next principal.
Interim Superintendent Tom Geary announced on March 8 that Captain Samuel Brown School Principal Lauren King has been appointed as Huckleberry Hill School’s next principal. She will succeed retiring Principal Melissa Wyland, who has led Huckleberry Hill for the past five years, on July 1.
Geary said the School Department had 17 applicants apply for the Huckleberry Hill School principal position. He said the Huckleberry Hill Principal Search Committee interviewed four candidates.
“Lauren was named the sole finalist,” said Geary. “Lauren’s well-rounded educational background and her clear passion for elementary education shined through during the interview. I could not be more pleased with the final result of the search.”
King has served as principal of the Captain Samuel Brown School in Peabody since 2018. She worked as the assistant principal of the Bancroft Elementary School in Andover from 2013-2018. She served as a learning specialist at the Bancroft Elementary School from 2008-2013.
Additionally, King worked as a general education teacher at the Bancroft Elementary School from 2005-2008, where she taught third and fifth grade. She taught second grade for The Learning Project Elementary School in Boston from 2001-2005.
King said she is looking forward to leading Huckleberry Hill School.
“I am honored and excited for the opportunity to become the next principal of the amazing and vibrant professional learning community at the Huckleberry Hill School,” King stated in an email. “The students, staff, administration and families have been so kind and welcoming during my entire interview process. I have been fortunate to be a part of some incredible school communities in my professional career, and I am wholeheartedly excited to bring my experience and dedication to Lynnfield Public Schools.”
Geary said King accepted the Huckleberry Hill School principal job after going on a site visit on March 5.
“This included a discussion with a group of fourth grade students, a lunch meet-and-greet with teachers and staff, a roundtable session with administrators, a question-and-answer period with families and a tour of many of our classrooms,” said Geary. “Throughout the day, Lauren’s passion for and clear understanding of the nuances of elementary education shined through.”
Geary said King was well received by students, teachers, staff and families during the site visit.
“Lauren embraced this extensive process with great eagerness and approached each group she met with curiosity and respect,” said Geary. “Her many years of elementary teaching and administrative experience, as well as her strong desire to connect with our school community, make her a great match for Huckleberry.”
School Committee Chair Kate DePrizio, who served on the Huckleberry Hill Principal Search Committee, agreed.
“Lauren King is absolutely the best choice for the future growth and continued success of Huckleberry Hill School,” said DePrizio, who is the mother of two Huckleberry Hill students. “Lauren embraces engagement, leads with passion and intention and has distinct elementary education and principal experience. I am thrilled that she is joining the Lynnfield Public Schools community and look forward to future collaboration.”
King received her certificate of advanced graduate study in Educational Leadership from Salem State College in May 2010. She earned her master’s of arts in Teaching of Elementary Education from Simmons College in May 2001. King earned a bachelor of arts in Education and a bachelor of arts in Dance from UMass-Amherst in 2000.
In addition to Geary and DePrizio, the Huckleberry Hill School Principal Search Committee consisted of second grade teacher Rebecca Scenna, third grade teacher Christine Meinert, special education teacher Lisa McNamara, paraprofessional Jennifer Mandile, secretary Mary Henehan, Elementary Math/Science Curriculum Director Christina Perry, Summer Street School Principal Karen Cronin, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Kevin Cyr, parent representative Angela Birtz, parent representative Neha Pareek and parent representative Joe Attubato.
“I was honored to be part of the Principal Search Committee and must extend my gratitude and appreciation of all principal search committee members,” said DePrizio. “Thoughtful collaboration in the process and clear investment in the success of our students, staff and school community was evident in all members.”