New Principal Named at Peekskill High School
The Peekskill Board of Education decided to look from within to hire a new principal at Peekskill High School.
Frederick Hutchinson, director of reading and gifted education for Peekskill schools, will officially assume his new duties July 1, replacing Sherrill Murray-Lazarus, who resigned in March and will be ending her two-year run at the end of this week.
“I am honored to be chosen for this important responsibility,” Hutchinson said. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to engage the community, parents, teachers and students in a conversation of progressive education. Together we can accomplish great things.”
Murray-Lazarus, who is the only woman ever to serve as principal at Peekskill High School, was principal of Roy C. Ketcham Senior High School for seven years before being appointed in Peekskill in July 2010. When she was chosen, Murray-Lazarus said, “Being a high school principal is difficult and demanding, and at the same time it’s the best job in the world.”
Prior to being named director of reading and gifted for Peekskill last year, Hutchinson, who will earn $140,000 annually as principal, was an English and reading teacher in the district. In 2005-06, he was named Teacher of the Year by the Rotary Club in the Cairo-Durham School District.
Hutchinson has a B.A. degree from SUNY New Paltz and a master’s degree in literacy from SUNY Albany.
“Fred Hutchinson will bring much-valued knowledge, energy and passion to the administration of Peekskill High School,” said Superintendent of Schools Jim Willis. “He knows our students and faculty well, and I am confident that he will provide strong educational leadership for our school community.”
Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/
