HATFIELD — Smith Academy Principal Conor Driscoll will become the interim superintendent for Hatfield’s public schools early in the new year when Superintendent Michael Wood retires.

The Hatfield School Committee voted unanimously this week to appoint Driscoll to the superintendent role, a position he will start Jan. 12. Driscoll also will continue to oversee Smith Academy, as he has since February 2022. Driscoll began his tenure in Hatfield as the Hatfield Elementary School principal in July 2020.

The vote on Monday came after Wood, who has been superintendent since July 2021, told the committee that he is interested in retiring after 40 years as an educator. Before coming to Hatfield, Wood was assistant superintendent for special education in Malden.

Christy Boudreau, who chairs the School Committee, said Driscoll is an experienced educational leader who’s served the students and families of Hatfield with integrity.

“He’s shown sound judgment, critical and creative thinking, strong communication skills, and a passion for our students’ success in his time with us,” Boudreau said.

Driscoll’s work has included partnering with teachers to develop effective instruction and supporting families to help their children succeed and find stability.

“I'm excited to be starting in the new role, and to continue to work with the talented educators and students of Hatfield,” Driscoll said in a statement. “As a small district, we face many challenges, and I look forward to working collaboratively with staff and the community to meet them.”

Committee member Adam Sullivan congratulated Wood on retirement and expressed appreciation for Driscoll. “His commitment gives me renewed optimism for the future of Hatfield public schools,” Sullivan said.

Committee member Jennifer Maloney, too, offered thanks to Wood and Driscoll.

“I am confident that Dr. Driscoll’s district-wide leadership experience, his dedication to our students, and his commitment to the town of Hatfield make him the right choice for this position,” Maloney said.

With the increased duties for Driscoll, the School Committee is adding the role of dean of Student Support, a position that is to be filled in the near future. That person will support students in exhibiting expected behavior while at school, develop systems and approaches to build a sense of community and belonging and ensure that students are meeting the expectations outlined in the Smith Academy handbook and that any disciplinary consequences are issued fairly and equitably.

The appointment of Driscoll also has buy-in from the Hatfield Teaching Association, whose co-presidents, Keri Guyette and Kevin Wall, called him a proven leader who works collaboratively.

Prior to coming to Hatfield, Driscoll was principal of Gill Elementary for five years, an acting administrator at Great Falls Middle School for a year and a sixth grade teacher in both Montague and Springfield.

He holds a doctorate of education in School Leadership from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, a masters of education in School Leadership from American International College in Springfield, and a bachelor of arts in political science from Saint Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.