Bedford School Board hires Dan Morris as principal of Bedford High School

The Bedford School Board voted unanimously Monday to hire Dan Morris as the next principal of Bedford High School, with his start date planned for July 1.

The board moved to fill the post after a multi-week search and an extensive interview process. School Board Chair Sue Giordano said the position was advertised for roughly three weeks and that a selection committee — composed of teachers, parents, support staff and students — narrowed the field to three finalists before recommending Morris.

“In the interview committee we came back with a unanimous recommendation, and that recommendation was Dan Morris,” Superintendent Mike Horner said, summarizing the committee’s work and timeline.

The hire follows site visits and a full day of interviews for finalists. Assistant Superintendent Tom Laliberte, who participated in a site visit at the high school, said the visit included conversations with students, special educators, support staff, teachers and office staff. “Dan laid out a great visit for us. We got to meet with students, special educators, support staff, teachers, board members,” Laliberte said. He described the meetings with students as “genuine and authentic.”

Board member Andrea Campbell, who also took part in the site visit, said she was struck by students’ reactions to Morris. “I walked away just feeling like everybody talked about your connection with the students,” she said, noting parents and students described strong personal ties to Morris.

Morris, who said he has spent his career in the Pembroke School District, told the board he applied only to positions he believed were the right fit and that Bedford felt like the right opportunity. “I have spent my entire career in the Pembroke School District. I am really excited for this opportunity,” Morris said.

Giordano said members of the leadership team, including Bob Jazokos, had already reached out to Morris to welcome him and support the transition. Board members discussed a phased transition: Morris may come to Bedford during the school year while fulfilling limited obligations in Pembroke, then shift fully to Bedford over the summer.

The board made a motion to hire Morris as Bedford High School principal; the motion passed with members responding “aye.” Giordano said the district will provide Morris’s contract this week.

The hiring process documented several steps: community and student feedback collected March 3–6, committee interviews on March 12 and a full-day interview on March 19, followed by site visits and a final unanimous recommendation by the committee of five.

Morris will be introduced to the community and the district will finalize onboarding in the weeks before his July 1 start.