Bonneville selected as next superintendent of Hampshire Regional School District

Date: 4/5/2021

WESTERN MASS. – The school committees from the Hampshire Regional School District selected Diana Bonneville as their next superintendent during a March 29 meeting.

Bonneville, who was South Hadley’s interim superintendent since December 2019, will replace current Hampshire Regional interim Superintendent Michael Sullivan, pending contract negotiations.  Sullivan was appointed interim superintendent of the Hampshire Regional School District in September 2020.

Bonneville was picked amongst four finalists. The other three were Beth Choquette, principal of the Bridge Street School in Northampton, Stacey Jenkins, principal at Anne T. Dunphy School in Williamsburg, and Susan Henrichon, assistant superintendent of Oxford Public Schools.

Multiple members of each School Committee in the region commended Bonneville for her “unflappability” and prior experience as a superintendent and school principal before that. She became principal at South Hadley High School in 2012.

Hampshire Regional School Committee member Mark Folta said Bonneville was his pick because of what she went through in South Hadley as an interim superintendent during what many consider to be a challenging time.

“Knowing the depth and magnitude and seriousness of everything … To have to overcome that and survive that alone, never mind all of her other experiences,” said Folta.

Hampshire Regional School Committee Chair Margaret Larson echoed Folta’s sentiments, and explained how impressed she was with Bonneville’s ability to answer every question they threw at her in a very succinct manner.

“She is a problem-solver,” said Larson, who also added that Bonneville is the only candidate to have any type of experience with a district-wide budget. “She can come into a situation where there is chaos, and resolve it.”

In order for a superintendent to be named, each of the five school committees in the Hampshire Regional School District had to agree on one superintendent. Individuals within each committee did not have to vote on the same candidate, however. The five school committees who voted were Chesterfield-Goshen, the William E. Norris School Committee, the Williamsburg School Committee, Hampshire Regional School Committee, and Westhampton School Committee.

The four superintendent finalists were each interviewed during public Zoom calls a few days before the actual decision was made. Each superintendent had to answer the same 11 questions about various school topics, ranging from equity questions, budget questions, COVID-19 questions, etc.

When asked what she was most proud of as an academic administrator, Bonneville said that it brings joy watching students, particularly at-risk youth, being able to graduate. The new Hampshire superintendent spoke on her programming that she has done with at-risk youth to prevent high dropout rates in future years. She added that she enjoys being able to maintain that relationship with students years after she teaches them.     

“I’ve maintained those communications and those relationships, especially with the at-risk youth,” Bonneville said. It’s probably brought me the most joy.”

Bonneville commended the district for supporting each other like a family, especially amongst faculty members in each of the schools. “When you look at each school individually, and then collectively as a unit, I think that really defines who Hampshire Regional is,” Bonneville said. “I think that is absolutely a strength.”    

As far as post-COVID-19 response goes, Bonneville said that she thinks students will need to participate in benchmark tests to see where they are at academically when they officially return from remote learning. She also believes that a robust summer school would gradually help students feel comfortable returning to an in-person setting.

“I think it’s really important to also focus on the social/emotional piece,” said Bonneville. “Discipline isn’t necessarily punitive. It’s about building relationships. I think it’s going to be a transition year for all grades, for all students.”

Bonneville has been an educator for a little over 26 years. Most of her administrative career has involved being an assistant principal and a principal. If contract negotiations go well, Bonneville will officially become the Hampshire Regional District Superintendent in July.

“I’m a transformational leader,” Bonneville said. “I really believe that relationships are critical … If you motivate people and empower them, then they really exceed your expectations.”