Donahue Elementary Principal Marc Swygert will serve as interim principal at Peck Middle School beginning Monday, September 28. Donahue Assistant Principal Tom Drohan will serve as interim principal at Donahue, and expert math teacher Nicole Fisher will serve as interim assistant principal. HPS Chief of Schools Sarita Graveline will remain in charge of Peck Middle School until next Monday.
Last week, Peck Principal Kevin McGrath and Assistant Principal Arrin Brewer-Barnes were placed on administrative leave while the district conducts an internal investigation into allegations of improper behavior that did not involve students, other staff, finance, or criminal behavior.
“Because this is a personnel matter that is still under investigation, I am limited in what I can share at this time,” Superintendent Jackie Glasheen said. “I am urging everyone to reserve judgment and avoid sharing unsubstantiated information. Both Principal McGrath and Assistant Principal Brewer-Barnes deserve to have these allegations fully investigated. There should be no rush to judgment.”
Superintendent Glasheen expressed her confidence in school and district leaders' abilities to help students, staff, and families during this time of transition.
“We know that many people are experiencing a wide range of feelings and reactions to this unexpected change in school leadership. We are confident that the interim leaders we have selected will help ensure a smooth transition as we continue to focus on teaching and learning.”
Dr. Swygert has worked in elementary, middle, and high school buildings since he joined Holyoke Public Schools in 2016. He has served as principal of Donahue Elementary since 2017, and he has been an educator in other settings since 1998. Earlier this month, he was named principal cabinet representative on the Holyoke Public Schools district leadership team for the 2026-27 school year. He will continue in this role while also serving as the interim principal at Peck.
Mr. Drohan has been assistant principal at Donahue since 2017. Prior he was the assistant principal at E.N. White Elementary from 2010 to 2017. He was an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at Peck Middle School and McMahon Elementary from 1995-2010.
Ms. Fisher has served as an expert math teacher at Donahue since 2023. She began her employment with Holyoke Public Schools in 2016 as a kindergarten teacher at E.N. White School and then moved to Donahue as a kindergarten teacher in 2017. Ms. Fisher recently completed the Boston College Lynch Leadership program.
The district anticipates selecting an interim assistant principal for Peck Middle School later this week and will share additional information as it becomes available.
“I know that this period of change will require adjustments for students, families, and staff of both schools,” Mrs. Glasheen said. “Under Dr. Swygert’s and Mr. Drohan’s leadership, with support from Chief Graveline, we are confident we are moving forward together as one team in support of the entire Holyoke community. I anticipate a smooth transition, and the district’s leadership team is on hand to provide any additional support that may be needed.”