Sam York, a longtime assistant principal at Merrimack Valley High School, has been elevated to the principal’s role for the upcoming school year, replacing David Miller, who abruptly announced his resignation earlier this month to pursue other professional opportunities.

An official biography on York was not released by the school, nor were the specific reasons for Miller’s departure. School Board Chair Seelye Longnecker said she’s “known (York) for years. Great guy, great math teacher and well-known and well-liked within the high school for a long time.”

An email from district Superintendent Randy Wormald said that York has been at Merrimack Valley for more than 20 years as a teacher, coach, coordinator and now principal. He’s on vacation until July 10 and was not available for comment, according to Wormald.

This marks the second time recently that the Merrimack Valley School District has undergone a major change at the top after Wormald replaced outgoing Superintendent Mark MacLean, who announced his resignation in May of 2022 and whose contract expired this year.

Wormald signed a three-year contract and worked simultaneously with MacLean through the 2022-2023 school year to prepare for his new position. He’s been named the top teacher in the Granite State and in the entire country as well.

Meanwhile, Miller was the school board’s unanimous choice for Merrimack Valley High School principal, replacing Michael Jette in 2014. Miller had been the assistant principal at Kearsarge Regional High School before landing in Penacook.

He came to MV followed by high marks for his career.

“I think most impressive to me was what I heard from a variety of people and teachers who knew him,” MVHS Assistant Superintendent Chris Barry said at the time, referring to Miller. “We heard about his relationship building and the fact that he is a very collaborative person and a good listener.”

]]>