EAST LONGMEADOW – East Longmeadow High School (ELHS) Principal Gina Flanagan sent a message out to the school community on Dec. 17, letting parents know that she has taken a leave of absence to study in a leadership program sponsored by the Harvard School of Education and the Harvard School of Business.

“As many of you know I have always seen myself as a lifelong learner. My hope is that this professional learning community will continue to challenge and enhance my leadership knowledge and skills,” Flanagan said in her email to ELHS parents.

East Longmeadow School District Superintendent Gordon Smith said the length of Flanagan’s leave of absence was currently, “undetermined.”

Frank Paige, who has served in school administration for nine years, most recently as an assistant principal at ELHS, has been named acting principal.

“I have every confidence that he will continue to impress us all as he moves into this new role,” Smith said in a second email to the community.

Paige told Reminder Publishing, “My goal is to make sure we limit disruptions and continue to service the students.”