Great Works School Principal Jerry Burnell will be retiring after almost half a century with the Marshwood school district.
The retirement in June of the popular principal of the school serving South Berwick and Eliot 4th and 5th graders was announced by Heidi Early-Hersey, interim superintendent, at the April 15 meeting of the MSAD35 Board of Directors.
“I’m so happy for Jerry but I’m so incredibly sad to see him leave,” Early-Hersey said, waving her hands in front of her face. “I’m going to cry.”
Burnell, who began his district career as a Middle School social studies teacher, had formally retired a few years ago but the district coaxed him back .
“He came back to help us (and has) served the district for 47 years. It’s remarkable,” she said. His retirement is “well deserved (and) he means it this time.”
Early-Hersey said she was glad he would have more time to spend with his grandchildren.
The board offered a hearty round of applause for Burnell’s service.
