BY ROD HANSEN
Michael Turmelle has played many roles at John Stark Regional High School since 1998, and the school’s principal-to-be says he plans to use his knowledge to expand learning opportunities there in the future.
Members of the Stark School Board announced recently that Turmelle will serve as principal of the high school beginning in the 2007-08 school year.
Minutes before joining a school pep rally to support the hockey team’s appearance in a championship game, Turmelle spoke of his enthusiasm on a range of topics. Turmelle singled out the school’s athletic programs, technology education, and teachers and administrators as subjects of praise.
“This is an exciting time for John Stark athletics,” Turmelle said, noting the school’s Division III hockey team joined the school’s ski, wrestling, and boys and girls varsity basketball teams in enjoying a successful season.
Turmelle, 41, is a native of Somersworth who came to John Stark as a part-time social studies teacher, a replacement teacher in the health department and as head of the school’s outdoor recreation department.
A call from former principal Mark Roth brought Turmelle to the school initially, and all three of his original duties reflected Turmelle’s diverse background.
With a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of New Hampshire and a master’s degree in social sciences from California University of Pennsylvania, Turmelle also served as director of that university’s fitness center.
He later had a position as assistant director of recreation at Plymouth State University, where he also taught in the health, physical education and recreation department and headed a study on the university’s economic contributions to the community.
After teaching at Stark for two years, Turmelle was the social studies department coordinator beginning in 2000, and became assistant principal at John Stark in 2002.
As he prepares to replace retiring principal Art Aaronson, Turmelle cited reducing student dropout rates as one of his main goals. With statistics showing that many students drop out after failing classes during freshman year, Turmelle said the school has a “solution team” focused on reducing student failures.
Turmelle also points to the school’s rising number of Advanced Placement classes, its expansion from 500 students to more than 900, the construction of a four-classroom technology center in 2000 and his own efforts to bring technology classes into the curriculum as evidence of the school’s continued growth.
“It’s been a nice progression, and I can’t say enough about the quality of educators here and their dedication to their work,” Turmelle said.
Turmelle’s involvement in academics stands as one of the primary assets he’ll likely bring to the position of principal, said Superintendent of Schools Christine Tyrie.
“I’ve worked with Michael closely over the past four years, and I’ve seen such growth in the work he’s done. I’m excited the board has made such an excellent choice,” Tyrie said.
The superintendent said Turmelle’s efforts to bring a building skills course into the school, as well as his work promoting hands-on learning experiences provide evidence of his dedication to education.
Though Turmelle was the only person interviewed for the open principal’s position, Tyrie said he was the only person who applied for the job. She also said his experiences within the school allowed the interviewing committee to ask him questions specific to John Stark.
“As an internal candidate, (Turmelle) got a much more rigorous scrutiny than an external candidate would have,” Tyrie said.
Turmelle and his wife Deidra, a literacy specialist at John Stark, plan to move to a new house in Concord this summer from their current residence in Hancock.
He is also completing his certificate of advanced graduate studies in educational leadership at Plymouth State University.