WOOD RIVER JCT. — Andrea Spas, the assistant principal of Chariho High School, will become the school’s next principal at the completion of this school year after working in the school district for over 15 years.
On Tuesday, Superintendent of Schools Gina Picard appointed Spas, effective July 1.
Spas, the daughter of educators, has been assistant principal at the high school for the past five years. She first started working for the school district in 2005 as a school psychologist, and prior to becoming assistant principal, she also served as the district’s response to intervention coordinator for three years and the assistant director of special education for almost four years.
“I love this school and this building, and I want to continue to lead the herd in this new role,” Spas said of her appointment. “I’m extremely excited and honored for this opportunity, and it’s nice to hear the support I have behind me.”
She will succeed Principal Craig MacKenzie, who announced last month he will be leaving the district at the end of the year for a principal’s position in Cashmere, Wash. Spas has been the assistant principal during MacKenzie’s entire tenure as high school principal.
“Mrs. Spas is primed to step into this leadership position,” MacKenzie said. “She has a great working relationship with our students and staff, she is invested in connecting our school to the community, and she has been integral in defining our school mission and vision of the Chariho graduate.”
MacKenzie said he will stay connected with Chariho High School even after his departure. Spas said her collaboration with MacKenzie has prepared her for her new role.
“Mr. MacKenzie has given me so much autonomy in my current position, and he’s allowed me to share a lot of his experience and responsibilities, so I feel very ready for the [principal] position,” Spas said.
“I’m really looking forward to continuing the progress that we’ve made under Craig’s tenure,” she added. “We have so much to be proud of.”
Chariho Tech Director Gerald Auth, who works in collaboration with MacKenzie and Spas, said that he values the work the team has done together.
“Andrea has big shoes to fill,” Auth said. “We have high expectations, and we’re going to continue to have high expectations. Andrea is more than capable of providing that leadership.”
Inspired by her seventh-grade science teacher and parents, Spas decided early on that she wanted to pursue a career in education. She is particularly grateful for her father’s mentorship and coaching in the classroom and on …….