By SANDY McGEE

BELLINGHAM — One of the school district's longest-serving employees will retire early next year.
Elaine D’Alfonso, current principal of the Bellingham Memorial Middle School, will retire in February after nearly 40 years with the Bellingham School District.

D'Alfonso began her career as a teacher at Bellingham High School and was later promoted to the position of assistance principal for the high school, according to the district's Web site.
She was later assigned to serve as the district's curriculum director and promoted to principal after renovations were completed on the new middle school building. A graduate of Framingham State College, she holds a mater's degree in education.
D'Alfonso, described on the district's Web site as a “valued administrator,” is credited for
improving the district's curriculum and bringing new technology and software to Bellingham schools.
“Mrs. D'Alfonso and her teachers worked together to build what is now Bellingham Memorial Middle School,” according to the district's Web site. “Mrs. D’Alfonso created a new and welcoming environment for the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade teachers, students and parents.
“She developed a thoughtful and detailed curriculum for all grades and subject areas. Technology is at home in the middle school, much of the integration effort driven by Mrs. D’Alfonso.”
According to the district's Web site, D'Alfonso was the first principal to encourage teachers to create Web sites and introduced TestWiz technology to the district. TestWiz is an online program that analyzes Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) scores.
“Mrs. D’Alfonso has dedicated her career to improving Bellingham public schools and has always stepped in to help when needed,” according to the school district's Web site. “... we thank her for all she has done for Bellingham public schools.”
School officials have posted an employment opening for an interim middle school principal on the district's Web site. The interim principal, according to the announcement, will fill the vacant position from February to the end of the school year.