Good afternoon,

As we prepare for an exciting new chapter in the Haverhill Public Schools, we are thrilled to announce the addition of three outstanding leaders to our administrative team. Each of these individuals brings a wealth of experience, a passion for student success, and a deep commitment to our school's mission. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to... 

Nancy Salach - Principal at Dr. Paul Nettle Middle School

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Nancy Salach as the new Principal of Dr. Paul Nettle Middle School. Ms. Salach joins the Nettle Knights community from Lawrence Public Schools, bringing 29 years of dedicated experience in public education and a deeply rooted commitment to student-centered leadership.

Throughout her distinguished career, Ms. Salach has been a champion for diverse student populations, fostering academic excellence across bilingual, special education, and regular education programs. Her journey in education began as a classroom teacher (1997–2013), before transitioning into critical leadership roles. She served as the Co-Leader of Administration & Operations at the Oliver Partnership School  (2013–2018) and, most recently, as the Assistant Principal for the High School Upper School from 2018 to 2026.

For Ms. Salach, education has never been just a profession—it is a calling to build relationships, inspire growth, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people.

"Among my fondest memories are the moments when I was able to witness the full educational journey of students," Ms. Salach shared. "There is something truly special about seeing children who entered school as first graders walk across the graduation stage as confident young adults. Knowing that I played a small role in their success has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career."

Her leadership is defined not only by strategic planning and boosting student achievement, but also by her ability to lead with empathy during challenging times. Following the devastating gas explosions in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Ms. Salach was instrumental in bringing people together—gathering teams, coordinating resources, and fostering collaboration to provide stability, safety, and care. These experiences reinforced her core belief that schools are the true heart of a community, especially when people need one another most.

Please join us in giving Principal Salach an incredibly warm welcome to the Nettle Knights family! We are excited for the future of Dr. Paul Nettle Middle School under her leadership.

Kerri Hermann - Assistant Principal at Silver Hill Elementary School

We are pleased to announce that Kerri Hermann has been appointed as the new Assistant Principal of Silver Hill Elementary School - Home of the Jaguars. Ms. Hermann joins our district from Woburn Public Schools, bringing over 20 years of extensive educational experience focused on supporting student achievement, school culture, and instructional excellence across diverse learning environments.

Ms. Hermann began her dedicated career in education as a paraprofessional in Wilmington before transitioning to the classroom, where she served as a teacher from 2005 to 2026. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Educational Leadership from Salem State University. During her administrative internship, Ms. Hermann demonstrated exceptional leadership by organizing a Multilingual Learner Peer Leadership Program, co-developing an Instructional Support Team (IST) system, collaborating closely with Instructional Leadership Teams, and managing daily school operations. Her holistic understanding of school communities makes her an incredible asset to Silver Hill.

Please join us in giving Asst. Principal Hermann a warm welcome to the Silver Hill Jaguar Family!

David Mercier - Assistant Principal at Golden Hill Elementary School

We are excited to announce the appointment of David Mercier as the new Assistant Principal of Golden Hill Elementary School. Mr. Mercier joins our leadership team from Northshore Academy Upper School, bringing over 20 years of specialized experience in social work, Special Education, and school administration.

Mr. Mercier served as a teacher at Northshore Academy Upper School from 2002 to 2021 before stepping into the role of Principal/Special Education Director from 2021 to 2026. His extensive background gives him deep expertise in staff supervision, program development, and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Mr. Mercier is a collaborative leader who is deeply committed to building inclusive school cultures, strengthening everyday instructional practices, and driving student success. His unique blend of administrative and therapeutic expertise will heavily benefit the Golden Hill Eagles community.

Please join us in giving Asst. Principal David Mercier a warm welcome to the Golden Hill Elementary Family!