By Michelle Kim
 

WEARE – School Administrative Unit 24 recently announced Superintendent Dr. Christine Tyrie is stepping down at the end of the school year to pursue new challenges and will be replaced by current Assistant Superintendent Doug White starting July 1.

“It was time for me to take the step in my career,” said Tyrie, who is looking at positions in Massachusetts partly because of the bigger districts and different challenges offered. She is one of three finalists for superintendent in Natick, Mass.

Tyrie is in her fifth year as superintendent of SAU 24, which encompasses more than 2,600 students and includes the districts of Weare and Henniker. Previously she worked as a school administrator in Plymouth, Franklin and Hardwick, Vt., and was a teacher for 13 years.

During her time with SAU 24, Tyrie oversaw the implementation of a kindergarten-through- 12th-grade literacy plan, the use of new technological tools to track and improve student performance and the bonding of the new $18.5 million Weare Middle School.

“Our schools have made a great deal of progress during the last five years,” said SAU board Chairman Joe Petrick. He said the boards had known for some time Tyrie would not be renewing her contract and worked with her in succession planning.

“I’m so happy I’ll be leaving the district in good hands,” she said of her successor, Doug White.

Tyrie worked with White at Plymouth and supported his nomination as assistant superintendent three years ago.

“We’re very much philosophically aligned,” she said. “It should be a smooth transition.”

White said he looked forward to supporting the current initiatives and providing leadership to enhance the educational growth of the district.

The SAU board is now searching for an assistant superintendent to fill the position that will be left vacant by White.