LEBANON — Longtime educator Tom Harkins became interim principal of the Lebanon Middle School earlier this month.

Superintendent Amy Allen made the announcement in a recent letter to parents and guardians in which she praised his expertise and passion for education.

Harkins, who started in the new post on March 4, has been a Spanish teacher at the Lyme School for the past 15 years, and for the past three years has served as president of the school’s teachers union.

Harkins is a familiar face in Lebanon schools and his “extensive educational background and commitment to our community make him an excellent addition to our team,” Allen said in her announcement.

He and his wife have three children in the Lebanon School District, and he served for a term on the Lebanon School Board.

He is excited for the new challenge.

“I know from experience that this is a great school with excellent teachers,” he said by email Monday. “I wanted to be a part of helping the students as much as I could.”

The appointment follows the Jan. 23 departure of Colleen McIntyre, who will not return to Lebanon following a personal leave of absence for the remainder of this school year.

McIntyre came to Lebanon in 2022 from Mascoma Valley Regional High School, where she was associate principal for two years.

She replaced John D’Entrement, who had been Lebanon Middle School’s principal since 2017.

Student Services Coordinator Erin Mills has been the point of contact at the middle school during the search for an interim principal.

Harkins’ contract runs from March 4 to June 30, 2024 with a salary of $34,833.

Allen said in January that if the interim hire is a good fit, that person may be considered for the permanent position of middle school principal. Harkins said that he has submitted an application for the permanent role.

Christina Dolan can be reached at cdolan@vnews.com or 603-727-3208.