By Christopher Haraden

The current middle and high school principal in the Berkshire County town of Lenox has been named the next principal of Hull High School, Superintendent Judith Kuehn announced Wednesday.

Kuehn selected Michael Knybel to lead Hull High over one other finalist named by the search committee, James Dupille, currently the principal of Silver Lake Regional Middle School. Knybel will replace Principal Nicole Nosek, who resigned to become the assistant principal of Hingham High School.

“Mike’s references are outstanding, and he is beloved by teachers, parents, students and community members,” Kuehn said. “He has a proven track record of acting in the best interest of students … He comes from a small and close-knit school community, which is very similar to Hull High School, and is a perfect match to move HHS into the future. I am excited that we will have such a strong, talented leader to move our high school forward.”

Kuehn said Knybel, who will be paid $142,000 per year, is expected to start on July 1.

Knybel received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Westfield State College, and his master’s in educational leadership and policy analysis from East Tennessee State University. He has been in Lenox since 2011, and previously was high school principal and assistant principal in East Longmeadow. He has been a junior/senior high school assistant principal in Ware and an assistant principal in the Gill-Montague Regional School District. He began his career in education as a music director at Cathedral High School in Springfield, responsible for instrumental and vocal ensembles and teaching music theory, and was band director for the Russell County Public Schools in Virginia.

“I’m excited to join the blue and gold at HHS,” Knybel said. "I could tell through the interview process that Hull values relationships and collaboration. As a team of students, staff, faculty, parents and community members this is going to be a powerful ride with pride!”

Kuehn said that in his new role, Knybel will lead the search for an assistant principal at Hull High, as the current assistant, Dan Mastrogiacomo, also is leaving the district at the end of this month.