After 10 years as superintendent, Darrell Lockwood could be leaving the school district at the end of the academic year.

Lockwood, whose contract expires in June, is a candidate in the search for a new superintendent in Tyngsborough, Mass., about 30 miles south of Goffstown.

Keith Allard, chairman of the Goffstown School Board, confirmed that Lockwood is one of four finalists. The possible departure affects the school districts of Dunbarton and New Boston, as well as Goffstown.

The three districts are grouped together under one school administrative unit, SAU 19.

“The announcement that Dr. Lockwood is a finalist for superintendent of Tyngsborough is best characterized by saying that other communities have discovered one of our gems here at SAU 19 and are actively looking to make him their own,” Allard said.

Lockwood began his career in New Boston in 1976. Over the next 10 years he worked as a teacher, principal and business administrator. In 1987, he became the assistant superintendent for SAU 16, closer to the Seacoast, and held a similar position in Connecticut for six years until 1998, when he came back to the Goffstown area.

“Having a superintendent stay 10 years is a rarity in New Hampshire and certainly says something about the school districts of Goffstown, New Boston and Dunbarton and the relationship these school boards have with Dr. Lockwood,” Allard said.

In his 10 years, Lockwood has presided over additions and remodeling to school buildings in all three towns, including a significant renovation at Goffstown High School. Also during his tenure, Goffstown opened a public kindergarten.

In 2002, Lockwood was named the Superintendent of the Year by the New Hampshire School Administrators Association.

In addition to his work as a school administrator, Lockwood, who lives in Dunbarton, has been an adjunct faculty member at Rivier College and Plymouth State College, according to the School Administrators Association.

Allard said Lockwood had been integral to the success as a school district and praised him for his high level of expertise, experience, and knowledge, combined with his attitude of compassion and caring.

“While it is certainly premature to say he may be leaving SAU 19, it is never too early to recognize the skills an individual brings to the table,” Allard said. “It is obvious that Dr. Lockwood is being sought out by other school districts because of the leadership skills he has demonstrated during his career.”

Allard said he only recently became aware of the possibility that Lockwood might move on. Even though Lockwood has spent a decade in Goffstown, Allard said the news was still a surprise.

“I guess in our hearts we anticipated that Dr. Lockwood would be with us longer than 10 years,” Allard said The potential superintendent vacancy in Goffstown was expected to be addressed by the School Board on Monday, Feb. 18.

Allard said the discussion has already started on how to orchestrate the search for new superintendent for Goffstown, New Boston and Dunbarton.

That search would look at candidates from inside and outside the SAU 19, according to Allard.

Lockwood did not return several calls for comment.