By Darrell Halen

An educator from Hollis has been chosen as the first principal of Windham High School.

Richard Manley was recently selected out of two finalists for the job by the Windham School Board. He will begin working full time in his new position on July 1.

“We had two excellent candidates to choose from. However, Mr. Manley had a great combination of credentials and great skills as a leader, a role model to other teachers and students,” said School Board Chairman Al Letizio Jr.

Manley, 51, currently serves as principal of North Middlesex Regional High School in Townsend, Mass., a job he has held for two years.

From 2001-06, he served as the assistant principal of Hollis Brookline High School. He was a social studies teacher there from 1983 to 2001.

Manley said he was drawn to the Windham position because of the town’s dedication to education and its commitment to having a high school “second to none.”

“I think it’s an opportunity to build a great high school, and I’m glad to be part of the leadership team,” he said.

The announcement of Manley’s hiring characterizes him as a life-long learner.

He went to high school in Danvers, Mass., and earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from Salem State College in 1978.

He holds a master of arts degree in history from Northeastern University, a certificate in Spanish from the University of Massachusetts, a certificate of advanced studies in educational administration from Rivier College and a law degree from Suffolk University Law School.

Manley does not practice law, but is a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association and supports such programs such as Mock Trial, Granite State Challenge and We the People, according to the announcement.

Manley said he took a liking to history while he was in high school.

“I attribute that to having some great teachers who inspired me,” he said. “I found the subject interesting and still do today.

Manley was a Fulbright Scholar who studied in India and was recently chosen to participate in a principal shadowing program in China as part of a cultural exchange program.

He received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and studied Russian history at Harvard University. In addition, he has traveled in Europe, including the Soviet Union, where he studied alternative education programs.

Letizio said that he expects Manley will deliver a “standout” program to students at the high school, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2009.

Manley and his wife, Rita, have two young children. His starting salary is $99,500.