Departing Principal Murphy Lauded by Staff at Windham High

Windham High School Principal Tom Murphy met with staff members on Tuesday morning to deliver some emotional news – the school will have a new lead administrator next fall.

In fact, July 1 will be Murphy's date of departure for Billerica Memorial High School in Massachusetts, which is his Alma mater and former place of work. There, he will also serve as principal.

In the wake of Murphy being named New Hampshire Principal of the Year, his move is a tough loss for the young Windham High, but the faculty appear to understand the circumstances.

English teacher Ryan O'Connor said he faced a similar decision when Windham High opened – either stay at his former employer of Londonderry High School or head back to Windham where he grew up. 

Like Murphy, O'Connor took the leap, and he said it would be hypocritical to have any hard feelings about Murphy leaving.

"As much as it's sad to see him go, this is a dream opportunity for him to return back to his roots and assume a position of leadership at a school where he has spent the vast majority of his life," said O'Connor."

O'Connor called Murphy a "close, professional friend," someone who you could analyze school data with just as easily as you could watch a Red Sox game.

But there was always a vision of where Murphy wanted WHS to be. O'Connor said the joke among staff was that Windham is the "school upon the hill," a famous phrase used by the Puritans coming over to the new land to refer to the example of what a school should be.

"He has steered us quite well in the last couple of years toward that goal," said O'Connor.

When art teacher Hannah Cole thinks of Murphy, she is reminded of his rapport with the kids, and his ability to always step up to the plate when it comes to supporting both student art and achievement.

Murphy would attend art festivals, come into Cole's classroom quite often, and even help kids get into various art competitions.

"Tom has been there from the very beginning and he will be sadly missed by all of the staff in the community," said Cole.

Michael Welch works as a case manager in the school's Special Services Department.

Welch referred to Murphy as a "driven leader and a great man" from the moment the two met.

"No matter what we were focused on as a school, he always helped us focus on the true purpose, educating our students and making a difference in their lives," Welch said.

Welch is convinced that Murphy's impact on WHS will give the staff, students and community momentum to fulfill what he said has been early promise and potential at the school.

Wendy Joanis, wife of school board member Mike Joanis, works as a reading specialist at the high school.

She called the positive impact on the students and faculty at WHS "immeasurable."

"We are all extremely sad to see Tom go, but we understand and wish him the very best," she said in a message to Windham Patch.

Patrick Kaplo, a science teacher at WHS, said he is appreciative of Murphy's openness to new ideas.

One of those ideas is a bit medieval. Each year, Kaplo hosts a Trebuchet day, something that has become something of a popular tradition for his students.

Murphy even participated in one of Kaplo's unique student projects last year, crouching his way into a rocket cart (yes, a rocket cart), and blasting across the pavement in the high school parking lot. It was all in the name of both science and interacting with the students.

Those students have also expressed their emotions related to Murphy's exit.

Senior student Jack Donovan said Murphy will be sorely missed, calling him the "best leader WHS could've asked for."

Others students took to Twitter, with about a dozen posting emotional comments to Windham Patch expressing sadness over losing Murphy.

The district has not given a definitive timetable as to when Murphy will be replaced. It is unclear at this stage whether leaders within SAU 28 are leaning toward a promotion in-house or hiring outside of Windham.