On Wednesday Sept 10,  Dr. Thomas Kenworthy officially announced that he would be leaving his position as principal at NKHS to assume the position of Assistant Superintendent of the Portsmouth school district.

The Assistant Superintendent of Portsmouth left the position open over the summer.  Kenworthy was not actively looking, but it was the next logical step in his career path.  Kenworthy said, “I would’ve loved if it was at NK and love it here, but that team is already in place and I can’t stay forever.”

Kenworthy also said, “[I’m] excited for this new adventure; Portsmouth is a great district and is a great opportunity.”

Dr. Denise Mancieri, currently Assistant Principal of Teaching and Learning, will be taking over as interm principal until a permanent replacement can be found.  An interm principal is a principal who is put in place to keep things going.  Kenworthy recommended Mancieri for the job.

Mancieri said Kenworthy has “been our beacon for the school in the last four years. He stepped in when there was turmoil and created a sense of calm.  He is a great leader and when he has a plan he sticks to it to get it done.”

Mancieri is also excited for her transition into interm principal.  The official job hunt for a new principal begins in the spring and after being assistant principal for two years she did not expect to receive this opportunity so soon.  “When an opportunity like this lands in you lap you have to take it,” Mancieri said. “I am 100 percent NK and can’t imagine myself anywhere else, or being up for the task if he [Dr. Kenworthy] hadn’t been my mentor.”

Kenworthy had been beginning his fifth year as principal at NKHS.  He previously taught history at NKHS and at La Salle Academy.  His first administrative position was as assistant principal in  Cumberland, where he eventually became principal.  He also spent two years working in the Rhode Island Department of Education.

One of Kenworthy’s favorite things about being principal at NK was the interactions with the students and seeing them grow and mature as individuals and as a group.  He also enjoyed doing work with the school outside the school day and getting to see the immense amount of talent the school has.

Kenworthy will begin the transition from his the job at the end of September and should be settled into his new position officially on Oct 3.  He has already begun to make the transition, however, by taking half days and attending meetings in Portsmouth.

“I’m definitely sad and am going to miss everyone and enjoyed my time here, and I have to thank everyone for the experience here,” Kenworthy said.