MANCHESTER — Manchester High School West Principal MaryEllen McGorry was suspended from her duties last week, Mayor Ted Gatsas confirmed Saturday.

Gatsas, who also serves as chairman of the city Board of School Committee, said he did not know the circumstances of McGorry's suspension, but said he believed it happened Thursday.

He referred further questions to Superintendent Thomas Brennan, who did not return phone calls seeking comment. McGorry also could not be reached for comment.
McGorry has been the school's principal since 2008, having served as an assistant principal and interim principal.

Before becoming an educator, McGorry, who holds a law degree from the former Franklin Pierce Law Center, which is now the University of New Hampshire School of Law, spent a portion of her working career as a Hillsborough County prosecutor.

McGorry's principal's page is still up on the high school's website, featuring her quote: “West High School is a great place to spend every day. It is a school filled with dedicated, talented and diverse students, faculty and staff.”

McGorry graduated from West High School in 1981, when she was named “Miss West.”
When she was appointed interim principal in 2007, about 100 faculty members at West High School signed a petition endorsing her being awarded the principal position permanently.

tbuckland@unionleader.com