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Date: 8/2/2023
MONSON — After a comprehensive search including multiple interviews, a parent forum, and site visits, Arthur Murphy was hired as the new principal at Monson High School.
Murphy’s first day was on July 1. He has been having interviews with applicants and attended the school’s administrative retreat with central business office personnel and other administrators to plan for the new year.
“It’s exciting,” Murphy said. “For me to come to a town like Monson that’s so close-knit and everyone is so inviting. When I went through the interview process, the students were amazing. They asked great questions and were very energized about their school and community. I feel like it’s a great place to be and I’m looking forward to the work.”
Murphy grew up in a small town in Winchendon and was incredibly involved in school. He was a three-sport athlete, performed in plays and musicals and was a class officer. Murphy loved the energy of being in a school. He loved learning, friendships and everything about school. Education was always big in Murphy’s household. His father was on the school committee in the town and his two older sisters are in the education field. Murphy spent most of his career at Gardner Middle School. He was a teacher for six years and an assistant principal for three years. He left for one year and worked as an assistant principal at Southbridge Middle School, which was the first year of the state takeover in Southbridge. It was there he met and worked with Joseph Trivisonno who’s now the principal at Granite Valley School in Monson. Murphy went back to Gardner to be the principal there for six years. When the opportunity for the principal position in Monson came up, Murphy went through the process and was offered the job.
Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Clarke said, “Mr. Murphy was the first choice of students, staff and parents. He brings a wealth of knowledge, a demonstrated commitment to students and a great enthusiasm to the position. I am very excited for everyone in the Monson High community.”
As principal, Murphy wants to bring pride and energy to the building as well as a clear focus of what the students need and academic success. His goal is to be a great principal, a great team leader and a great asset to the Monson community.
“It’s a new school for me, so I have to learn,” Murphy said. “Monson High already has some great things in place, but it’s about me going through that process in year one being in classrooms, talking with the superintendent, administrators, teachers, parents and community stakeholders about what they feel the high school is doing well and what they feel might be the focus. From there creating a plan that will help support those things.”
He continued, “When I made this decision to go to Monson, it was one that I made with the understanding that I’m going to be there for a long time in that role. I love being a principal. It’s what I feel like I was made to do and what I feel like I’ve put a lot of energy and hard work into my education and my life to be a principal.”