HUNTINGTON — The Gateway Regional District School Committee has named Kristen Smidy, the principal of Hampshire Regional High School, as the district’s next superintendent.
The committee voted 11-1 on Wednesday to offer Smidy the job. She was one of four finalists for the position chosen from among a pool of 22 applicants and eight semifinalists.
School Committee Chairwoman Michele Crane said that Smidy’s contract will be reviewed in an executive session next Wednesday with the aim of finalizing it that night.
“I am really proud of the district and the committee for running a really open-minded process,” Crane said.
Smidy, 36, has served as the principal at Hampshire Regional’s high school and middle school since 2013, starting in the district in 2011 as assistant principal in the middle school. She earlier taught middle school history in Springfield. She would replace Superintendent David Hopson, 65, who is retiring at the end of the school year after 18 years in the position.
