SOUTH HADLEY — Paul Plummer, a longtime area educator and principal at Michael E. Smith Middle School since 2013, died suddenly Tuesday night. He was 49.

Superintendent Nicholas D. Young sent a message to parents and teachers, notifying them of the principal’s death and next steps for the administration.

“We’re all really crushed,” Young said. “His passing is a loss to the building, district and community.”

Plummer had a long career in education. According to his LinkedIn account, he started teaching middle school science in the 1990s. He served as assistant principal at Amherst Regional Middle School for two years and then assistant principal at Birchland Park Middle School in East Longmeadow for seven years. In 2013, he became principal of Michael E. Smith Middle School.

“He’s a principal we’ve held in high regard,” Young said.

Young said Assistant Principal Vincent Napoli will serve as acting principal and dean of students Beth Craven will serve as interim vice principal.

Counseling services will be available to students and teachers, and Young said he will keep those services in place as long as necessary.

“This is a difficult time for the school and district,” Young said. “We will work through this together ... We’re all in shock.”

Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.

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