The principal of Merrimack Valley High School will depart the district at the end of June, a year after being hired.
In a message to families sent on Tuesday, Shaun St. Onge wrote that he needed to “prioritize the best interests of my family and personal life.”
St. Onge previously served as an assistant principal at Merrimack Valley High for six years. Immediately before taking the principal post, he served as principal of Manchester Memorial High School.
“Although I will be moving on, I look forward to finishing the year and seeing our seniors graduate with PRIDE,” he wrote in the message to families. “I will always carry PRIDE in being part of the Merrimack Valley community and will continue to cheer on its future success.”
In response to a request for comment, St. Onge referred to the letter he sent families.
Catherine Masterson, the school administrative unit’s assistant superintendent and incoming superintendent, thanked St. Onge for his service to the district.
“I will let Shaun speak to the details of his decision, but we wish him nothing but the best,” she wrote in an email. “We remain grateful for his years of service to our students, faculty and families.”
Loudon school board member Amanda York said she was “very disappointed” to learn that St. Onge would not return.
“I think he’s a great principal,” she said. “My daughter has had nothing but wonderful things to say about him.”
Next year, Merrimack Valley High will have its third principal in three years. St. Onge was preceded as principal by Sam York, who now serves as the school administrative unit’s business administrator.
A job posting calls for applications to be submitted by April 26.
Concord’s school district is also in the process of hiring a new high school principal.
