The official search for a superintendent will begin by mid-January
WESTFIELD – The School Committee has set Tuesday
School Committee members will participate in a similar workshop Monday
Tuesday’s forum is scheduled for 6 p.m. at South Middle School, and the School Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Monday at its offices at 22 Ashley St.
The results of both sessions will be presented to the School Committee for review at a Jan. 10 meeting.
“We felt School Committee members should participate in the same type of forum we have scheduled for the public and staff,” said member Laura K. Maloney, who serves as the committee’s coordinator for the superintendent search process.
The committee has held several forums since Dec. 13 to allow staff, administration and the public outline characteristics they want in a new superintendent.
Sixteen parents, all active in their respective schools, gathered at South Middle School Dec. 13 for the first forum on the issue. Those parents decided the next superintendent should be creative, accessible and have common sense. They also said the new head of the School Department must build support from staff and parents and have experience at all levels of public education.
“We have been surprised and pleased with the response both to the forums and our on-line survey concerning the superintendent search,” Maloney said.
The survey will remain on the School Department’s website until Tuesday. It can be found online at www.k12.westfield.ma.us.
The School Department human resources director, Helen M. Bowler, told the School Committee last week that response to the online survey has been successful with more than 240 responses from staff and more than 50 from the public.
The committee is expected to advertise the position and begin soliciting resumes following the Jan. 10 meeting.