By Rod Hansen
Staff Writer

Sonny Avenue residents Mark and Lisa Larochelle discuss flood relief efforts with U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley during the congressman’s recent visit to Goffstown. (The Goffstwon News/Rod Hansen)

Bittersweet laughter and fond memories marked the departure of a key figure in Goffstown’s schools.

Mountain View Middle School Principal Rose Colby received a formal send-off on Wednesday, May 31. She’d dedicated more than three decades to Goffstown schools as a teacher, assistant principal and principal, and gratitude came back to her from multiple perspectives in the days before her departure.

“This whole experience coming into my last couple weeks in the district has just been overwhelming,” said Colby, who announced her retirement from Mountain View last fall.

“I’ve had good wishes from parents, kids and staff. There’s nothing that could be better for a public official, and I have nothing but the best feelings for this school and this community,” Colby said.

A former Derry resident who now lives in Epping, Colby came to the district as a biology and chemistry teacher at Goffstown High School more than 30 years ago.

She later went on to head the high school’s science department before becoming assistant principal there.

She has been principal of Mountain View the past 11 years, and during her time in that position she’s twice seen the school named Middle School of the Year by the state Department of Education. She’s also served as president of the New Hampshire Association of School Principals.

To honor Colby’s career at Mountain View, the school designated May 31 as Rose Colby Day.

Festivities kicked off with a Student Council breakfast for staff members, the display of each class’s banners created in Colby’s honor, and an assembly featuring school officials such as SAU 19 Superintendent Darrell Lockwood, Associate Principal Sandra Davis, remarks from special education teacher Lisa Pomerleau and a reading of a state Senate proclamation from State Sen. Lou D’Allesandro.

The day concluded with a community reception in Mountain View’s Hilltop Cafe cafeteria, featuring a slide show from all phases of Colby’s life. The reception also included speeches by Lockwood, School Board Chairman Keith Allard, former Assistant Principal Jim Doig and Davis.

During his remarks at the community reception, Lockwood mentioned that he and Colby had ties literally dating back to the day Lockwood was born.

Colby’s father, Joseph LaRochelle, a physician in Derry at the time of Lockwood’s birth, delivered Lockwood and his three brothers.

Dr. LaRochelle also loaned Lockwood’s father, Jack, money to attend Tufts Dental School, Lockwood said.

“You see connections to other people in life, and as you get older those connections become more clear,” Lockwood said.

To honor Colby’s service at the school, Lockwood presented Colby with a plaque bearing her likeness to be displayed at Mountain View for years to come.

In Davis’s speech at the reception, the associate principal honored Colby for her dedication to the arts through the artist in residence program and a music department that now includes strings, chorus and award-winning band sections.

She also applauded Colby for adding sports programs including volleyball, cross country, wrestling and track, as well as “B” teams open to all students.

Davis also commended Colby for her approach to dealing with students and faculty members.

“Who hasn’t felt the human, family approach that Rose extends to staff and students?” Davis said.

“Rose, you may be headed to other endeavors, but you are leaving behind an indebted staff who are strong because that is what you modeled, capable because that is what you expected, and professional educators because that is what our students deserve,” Davis said.

Colby lives in Epping with her husband of 29 years, Stephen, himself a former teacher. The couple’s grown children include Jessica, 26, and Heather, 23.

Although Colby is retiring as principal of Mountain View Middle School, she said she plans to remain in the field of education.

She plans to continue teaching at Plymouth State University’s administration and leadership graduate education programs, and will also serve as a consultant with the New England League of Middle Schools.

Replacing Colby next year will be Jim Hunt, former principal of Freetown-Lakeville Middle School of Lakeville, Mass. Hunt will begin as principal of Mountain View Middle School on July 1