Harwood Middle School administrator resigns
May 30, 2025 | By Lisa Scagliotti
The recent resignation of Harwood Union Middle School Assistant Principal Bethany Turnbaugh has launched a recruiting effort to hire a new administrator for the 2025-26 school year.
HUMS Assistant Principal Bethany Turnbaugh will be leaving at the end of this school year. File photo
Among items on the agenda for Wednesday’s Harwood Unified Union School District School Board meeting was a memo regarding noting staffing changes, including Turnbaugh’s resignation. The board accepted the item as part of its consent agenda without any discussion.
Turnbaugh is one of three administrators at Harwood Union Middle-High School – the others being Principal Meg McDonough and Assistant Principal Jessica Deane.
Turnbaugh was hired in 2023 to be the assistant principal at the middle school, starting with the 2023-24 school year, succeeding Duane Pierson who moved to Crossett Brook Middle School as a co-principal that year.
A 2003 Harwood graduate, Turnbaugh came to Harwood after serving as assistant principal at Lamoille Union High School. In addition to education, Turnbaugh brought a background in psychology and clinical mental health counseling.
Harwood Superintendent Mike Leichliter said Turnbaugh’s resignation was “a personal decision” and not the result of any staff changes or reductions. Turnbaugh’s departure was not anticipated, the superintendent said, adding that the district then posted the vacancy to seek candidates.
“As of [May 22], we had five strong applicants and there may be more,” Leichliter said, adding that McDonough has formed a committee to review applications, interview candidates, and make a hiring recommendation.
McDonough confirmed that Turnbaugh would work through the end of her contract which ends June 30.
Asked about her decision, Turnbaugh replied in an email to Waterbury Roundabout saying, “Deciding to leave HU was a hard decision and I am excited for what lies ahead.”
She shared the message she planned to include in this week’s newsletter to families: “After thoughtful reflection and with deep respect for the Harwood community, I have decided to shift my professional focus and pursue new opportunities that will allow me to grow and challenge myself in new and meaningful ways. I leave with immense gratitude for the relationships I have built and the many experiences that have shaped me both personally and professionally. Serving the students, families, and faculty of this remarkable community has been such an honor. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated educators, support staff, and fellow administrators. Thank you for your continued support and for the privilege of serving in a role that has meant so much to me.”
This is the second administrative change at Harwood in less than a year. Former Co-Principal Laurie Greenberg resigned shortly into the 2024-25 school year last fall. The admin team was revised to shift to one principal and two assistant principals, and Deane was promoted to assistant principal for the high school in October.