Higginbottom Chosen as Next RMHS Principal

Kevin Higginbottom has been named the next principal of . 

Higginbottom, one of two finalists for the principalship, is assistant principal at North Middlesex Regional High School in Pepperell. 

Reading School Superintendent John Doherty was “blown away,” he told Patch this morning, when he visited Higginbottom’s current school, by stories from students and staff – particularly students. In a meeting with about 40 students, each one had a personal story, Doherty said, about how Higginbottom reached out to help them with a personal struggle.  

Higginbottom is very visible, Doherty said, and strong in curriculum and instruction.

Both finalists – Higginbottom and Heidi Riccio, director of career and technical education at Greater Lawrence Regional and Technical Vocational High School in Andover – are "really strong" and have the qualifications to become a high school principal, Doherty told Patch.

“Kevin made great connections here,” Doherty said, and “did his homework” on Reading and RMHS.

Doherty met with Higginbottom last night, the school superintendent said, to finalize his contract. The salary range for the high school principalship is between $110,000 and $120,000, Doherty said.

Higginbottom holds a Certificate in Advanced Educational Study in education leadership from Boston College, a Master of Science degree from Boston University and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Syracuse University. In addition to his nine years as assistant principal at North Middlesex, Higginbottom has taught science in the Lawrence and Chelsea public school systems.

He will start his job as RMHS principal on July 1, succeeding Elinor Freedman, who is retiring June 30.

A meeting will be scheduled for people to meet with the new high school principal after he starts work here, Doherty said, probably near the start of school.