Craneville Principal Retires; Search on for ReplacementBy Noah Hoffenberg
iBerkshires Correspondent
02:38PM / Tuesday, March 24, 2009
DALTON, Mass. — The search is under way for the next principal of the Craneville Elementary School, after Deborah Bevan recently announced that she's retiring to contend with the loss of sight in one of her eyes.
Donna Harlan, superintendent of the Central Berkshire Regional School District, said the posting for the position closes on April 2, but she's still accepting nominations for the search committee that will aid in choosing Bevan's successor.
Bevan, 59, of Hinsdale, has spent her entire life in the district, from student all the way up to administrator. She sees her unplanned retirement as bittersweet, looking back fondly on her 28-year career
and with hope to the future.
"It's been crazy. Actually, it's been a great experience. All of my time has been in Central Berkshire. So the teachers, I've known forever. I started out with many of them," said Bevan. "I'll miss everything. I love working with the children, and I love working with the staff. Other than my family, that's where my time has been devoted."
Bevan said she told herself early on in her career, that if she couldn't give 100 percent to the schoolchildren, then it would be time to move on. A recent diagnosis of a corneal ulcer and subsequent near-blindness in her right eye has brought her to that point, she said.
"It's a virtual blur. I can't distinguish anything. It's made this past year more difficult. So I have to have that taken care of," said Bevan. "I could've taken a leave, but I didn't think that was fair to
anybody."
She said she'll be opting for surgery, which should return her eyesight to what it was, but she's not sure when she'll go to have it done. After the surgery, Bevan said it will take about a year for her vision to return to normal, barring any complications.
After her time as a student at Wahconah Regional High School, Bevan went on to study education, and became a teacher in the district in Grades kindergarten through 8. More recently, she was the district's coordinator for professional development and curriculum development, a teaching post under the teachers' contract.
She also served briefly as interim assistant principal at Nessacus Regional Middle School.
Bevan as also the principal of Berkshire Trail Elementary School for year, before a consolidation require that she take over at Craneville, where she's wrapping up her second year.
She said her position as coordinator for professional development allowed her to meet many teachers whom she would not have otherwise, which made for a smooth transition from Berkshire Trail, with about 100 students and one teacher per grade, to Craneville, with close to 500 students and four teachers for every grade level.
Bevan won't be on the search committee for her replacement, but will assist with the transition. She's due to retire on July 31, and the next principal should be in place on July 1.
After that, Bevan expects to spend more time with her children and grandchildren, and enjoying her waterfront home on Lake Ashmere.
She also sees herself teaching again, but in a different capacity. Bevan said she's taught at the former North Adams State College and at Cambridge College, a job that she may do again. Volunteering and consulting are also in Bevan's plans.
Bevan expects to do some traveling with her husband, Tim, 61, a former longtime employee of General Electric.
Even though she had planned to work at Craneville for many years to come, Bevan is taking her unplanned retirement in stride.
"Things happen for a reason. It's like, 'Slow down and enjoy what you have.' There's plenty left to do," she said.
Contact Noah Hoffenberg at hoff1013@gmail.com. |
