June 24, 2024 By Carol Britton Meyer
In an update to the Hingham school community regarding the search for a new Hingham High School principal to replace Rick Swanson — who recently submitted his resignation — Supt. of Schools Margaret Adams reported that an interim principal has been appointed “to support a broader, more comprehensive search [for a permanent principal] next year.”
Dr. John Buckey will serve in this role for the 2024-2025 school year effective July 1 and will work closely with Swanson during the month of July to ensure a smooth transition.
Buckey served as a high school principal for 12 years at Nantucket High School and for four years at Littleton High School. Most recently, he was the superintendent of Marblehead Public Schools.
This decision was made based on the “abbreviated nature of the search” and “upon careful consideration of community feedback,” according to Adams.
This announcement follows an interview with candidate Alan Strauss — currently superintendent of the Freetown Lakeville Regional School District — during a recent Hingham Public Schools virtual community forum.
Strauss was the only remaining finalist following Robert Shaw’s withdrawal of his application as the second finalist after signing a contract with Hull Public Schools as the new principal of Hull High School.
Once the decision was made to proceed with an interim position, the screening committee — consisting of parents, teachers, recent HHS graduates, administrators, and school committee members — reconvened to consider candidates who had expressed interest in the interim principal position that had also been posted.
Buckey holds a Doctoral degree from Northeastern University in Educational Administration and Organizational Leadership, a Master’s from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Bachelor’s in Spanish and Secondary Education.
“We are grateful to the members of the screening committee, who generously shared their time to support the search process,” Adams said.
The search for a permanent high school principal will begin in January 2025.