ERVING, MA — After almost three decades in education, Jennifer Haggerty has begun her first school year in a building devoid of children.

“It was my first time in 28 years that I had not been in a building with students. However, I did visit all of the schools on the first day and it was nice to see the students,” Haggerty said.

Haggerty is the new superintendent of School Union 28, selected in February by the joint school committee governing the union’s four elementary schools. She has been working in the administrative office in the former Erving Grade School on Pleasant Street since July. The appointment puts her at the head of the Erving, Leverett and Shutesbury elementary schools and the Swift River School in New Salem, shared by Wendell and New Salem.