SACO — Saco Middle School Assistant Principal Mark McDonough has been given preliminary approval to be interim principal of the school following the December resignation of Principal Laurie Wood.

Wood resigned effective Jan. 8, but took the last two days as vacation days, said Saco Superintendent of Schools Dominic DePatsy.

DePatsy said Wood left the position to take a new job as principal of Westbrook Middle School, and gave a letter of resignation on Dec. 22. Wood had been principal of Saco Middle since July 2012.

In Westbrook, Wood replaces Matt Nelson, who left to become assistant superintendent in the Sanford School Department.

“I can say that during my time at SMS, I appreci- ated working with dedicated teachers who keep the best interests of the students in mind at all times,” said Wood in an email. “I will truly miss those teachers and the students and families I came to know and care about.”

The school board met in an executive session Wednesday night and gave preliminary approval to McDonough to serve as principal. It also gave preliminary approval to naming math coach Dianne Fearon assistant principal for the remainder of the school year.

The board will officially vote on the decision at its Jan. 13 meeting, said DePatsy.

DePatsy said the district will begin advertising for a new principal in March, and hopes to have a new principal in place by July 1.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.

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