Lebanon
D’Entremont, 38, was chosen last week to replace longtime school administrator Martha Langill, who is retiring after 30 years in Lebanon public schools.
“I like working on different challenges and I like being creative to solve problems,” D’Entremont said in an interview last week. “So I find administration work enjoyable.”
D’Entremont came to Lebanon Middle School three years ago to teach seventh- and eighth-grade social studies, and was promoted to assistant principal in August. He previously worked as a school administrator in Massachusetts, and lived in Canaan for 10 years while working at Cardigan Mountain School.
“It’s only been a year (as assistant principal) and I enjoyed it very much,” D’Entremont said. “We have a lot of great kids in our school.”
D’Entremont lives in Lebanon with his wife, who also works at the middle school, and two daughters.
He was chosen with the help of a search committee made up of school officials, community and School Board members, who began meeting after Langill announced her retirement in December. The School Board unanimously approved his promotion and $92,300 salary last week.
“I am very enthusiastic about the appointment of John as principal of LMS,” wrote Superintendent Joanne Roberts in an email last week. “Having worked at LMS as both a teacher and assistant principal, there will be a smooth transition into his new role.”
Roberts also praised D’Entremont’s work in the district, including his leadership in developing a set of core values and three-year strategic plan for the middle school last year.
“The Lebanon School District has been incredibly fortunate to have Martha Langill as an administrator for 30 years and we are excited about the direction John will take LMS in the future,” Roberts wrote.
Langill began her teaching career in South Dakota about 40 years ago, before moving to New Hampshire and ultimately accepting a position as principal of the Seminary Hill School in 1987. She served for 25 years there, and helped transition students into the new Lebanon Middle School building when it was completed in 2012.
“I’ve been in education for 40 years. Seems like a good time (to retire),” she said on Sunday. “I will miss the kids. That’s why I do it.”
Langill said D’Entremont is very easy to work with, intelligent and well-positioned to continue implementing long-term plans for the school.
“He puts a lot of effort into his work. He’s very respectful of everyone, even students who might not be making the best choices,” she said. “I think John’s going to do a fine job. He’s certainly going to put all his energy into it and do the best he can.”
Lisa Vallejo-Sorensen, president of the Lebanon Middle School PTO, said the organization had a “positive experience” working with Langill, and is hoping to build a similar relationship with D’Entremont.
“As a PTO we are looking forward to working with John to build a more vibrant community culture among the students, teachers and families,” she wrote in an email on Sunday. “We hope to see more art inside the building and a greater sense of safety among the students.”
D’Entremont will officially become principal on July 1.
Tim Camerato can be reached at tcamerato@vnews.com or 603-727-3223.