Nicole Bottomley has been named as the next King Philip Regional High School principal. 

She will assume her new role on July 1 following the departure of Principal Dr. Lisa Mobley. Mobley, who has served the district for the past 15 years, has accepted the role of Executive Director of the Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School in Marlborough.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Nicole to the King Philip Regional High School as we bid Principal Mobley a bittersweet farewell,” Superintendent Paul Zinni said in a statement. “Over the years, Dr. Mobley has worked to develop programs that support our students who experience academic and social-emotional obstacles, and I am confident that with her experience Nicole will continue to build upon the work that Dr. Mobley began.”

Bottomley currently serves as the principal of Holliston High School. In this role, she led efforts to reimagine the high school experience for students, focusing on 21st-century skills, student agency and authentic learning experiences for all. Bottomley is also credited with creating the district’s Vision of a Graduate and Global Citizen Endorsement.

During the 2022-23 school year, she has spearheaded Cognitive Behavioral Training with the Beck Institute for all school counselors and collaborated on literacy through the implementation of bi-weekly classroom observations, data analysis and data talks with building leaders.

Prior to serving as the principal for the past 10 years, Bottomley also worked as an assistant principal, high school history teacher, mental health counselor and has held several positions relating to the emergency medical care field.

She holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brandeis University. She also holds a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University.

“Nicole is articulate and student-centered, bringing with her over a decade of instructional leadership experience. She has a mental health background and values social-emotional learning,” KP Superintendent-Elect Dr. Rich Drolet said. “Numerous people who have worked with Nicole describe her as a smart high school principal who is respectful, balanced, hard-working, encouraging, collaborative and focused on elevating students’ voices. With all of that said, we are confident that she will be a great addition to our high school and district.”

There were 22 applicants for the position. A search committee, led by Superintendent Zinni, was comprised of parents, community members, teachers and administrators. The search committee screened applications, interviewed six candidates and then forwarded two finalists to Superintendent-Elect Drolet. Superintendent-Elect Drolet then conducted finalist interviews, checked references, and selected Nicole Bottomley as the next King Philip Regional High School principal.

“I would like to thank the high school principal search committee for their thoughtful work and care in selecting such excellent candidates to interview, and then forwarding exemplary finalists to me,” stated Dr. Drolet. “We are pleased to appoint Nicole to this position.