Sharon Putney Leaving Thorntons Ferry for Londonderry

These final weeks of the 2012-13 school year will be the final weeks for Thorntons Ferry Assistant Principal Sharon Putney in the Merrimack School District.

On Wednesday, the Londonderry School Board announced it had appointed Putney as incoming Principal of Matthew Thornton Elementary School. Her new position is effective July 1.

Putney, who was named New Hampshire's Elementary School Assistant Principal of the year this year, is in her fifth year as Assistant Principal of Thorntons Ferry. She has previously won New Hampshire Gifted and Talented Teacher of the Year.

Putney has been working in education since 1982 and prior to being named assistant principal at Thornton's Ferry, she has worked as a music teach, as a gifted and talented teacher and as the Gateway Coordinator for the gifted and talented enrichment program. She has worked with students from elementary school through high school.

According to a press release from the Londonderry School District, Putney was selected from a field of highly qualified applicants and was the first choice of the 13-member screening committee composed of a School Board member, Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources Director, Elementary Principal, two Matthew Thornton parents and six Matthew Thornton faculty and staff members.

"The School Board, administration, faculty and staff as well as the entire Matthew Thornton community are looking forward to Working with Mrs. Putney knowing that she will continue the excellent leadership exemplified by retiring Principal Carol Mack," the school board said in its statement.