BEVERLY — The city is losing one of its elementary school principals to the school where a young John F. Kennedy once roamed the halls.
North Beverly Elementary School Principal Jennifer Flewelling announced last week that she is leaving to become principal at Edward Devotion School in Brookline starting July 1.
Devotion is a pre-kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school whose most famous alumnus is former President Kennedy. With 800 students, it is the largest of Brookline's pre-k-through-eight schools and more than twice the size of North Beverly, which has 381 students.
Flewelling said she is looking forward to working at a culturally diverse school — it has students from 38 countries, according to its website — as well as a school that includes grades six through eight. Elementary schools in Beverly go through fifth grade.
"It really came down to my professional growth," Flewelling said. "It was time for my next step."
Flewelling's salary has not been finalized, but Brookline's pre-k-through-eight principals are paid between $124,000 and $137,000, Brookline Superintendent Bill Lupini said. Flewelling is paid $95,237 as the North Beverly principal.
Lupini is the former Beverly superintendent but left before Flewelling was hired here. She was, however, a student in a class he taught at Salem State for teachers looking to become principals.
"She was one of those people who you knew was going to be a great principal," Lupini said. "We're just thrilled to have her come down here and join our group."
Flewelling, 35, has served as North Beverly principal for six years. School PTO President Joanna Scott credited her with increasing professional development for teachers and supporting the PTO's efforts to sponsor STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) enrichment programs.
Scott said Flewelling's commitment to the school is reflected in everything from her attendance at every PTO meeting to running in the school's annual road race.
"We will miss her greatly," Scott said. "She has been a positive influence on every student that has had the privilege of attending North Beverly and has made my work in PTO and as a parent so much easier and enjoyable."
Beverly Superintendent Marie Galinski said the search for a new principal will begin immediately. She has appointed Centerville School Principal Karla Pressman to head a search committee.
Flewelling lives with her husband and two children in Danvers, where she grew up, and plans to remain living there.
"I'm really going to miss North Beverly," she said. "It's bittersweet. I'm sad to leave, but I'm very much looking forward to my next experience in Brookline."
Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or by email at pleighton@salemnews.com.
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