Peabody High School Principal Resigns

PEABODY, MA — School officials will try to find a permanent principal for Peabody Veterans Memorial High School by the start of the school year after Eric Buckley unexpectedly resigned this week. Buckley, who lead the school for six years, resigned for "personal reasons." Buckley, who started as a teacher in the system, had been with the district for nearly 30 years.

"Eric Buckley has dedicated nearly 30 years of his career to public education in Peabody. During his teaching and department head tenure at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, Eric inspired a generation of students with his love of Social Studies and World History," Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt, who also chairs the school committee, said in a statement. "As Principal, Eric’s leadership helped guide Peabody High during its transition into a true 21st century learning environment. On behalf of a grateful community, we thank Eric for his commitment to education in our City and we wish him well in the next chapter of his career."

Patch has asked Superintendent Cara Murtagh for comment and will update this story when we hear back from her. Murtagh told the Salem News, which first reported this story, the district will accept applications for Buckley's replacement through Aug. 2 and that she does not plan to hire an interim principal.

For more on this story, see the Salem News.