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Staff Writer CHICOPEE Although several initial votes threatened another deadlock over who should be the next leader of the Chicopee School system, the search for a Superintendent was finally put to rest last Wednesday with a unanimous decision to select Fairview Memorial Middle School Principal Richard Rege over former Mayor Richard Kos. In March, the School Committee had narrowed down the search to two candidates Kos and Assistant Superintendent of Accountability James Devine but was forced to re-advertise the position when neither candidate weas able to secure the 2/3 majority vote from the School Committee. After a brief period of public comment in which several residents argued on behalf of both candidates, the first motion of the night, which nominated Kos as Superintendent, was defeated with a 7-5 vote. That vote was followed by a motion to nominate Rege, which resulted in a 6-6 deadlock after School Committee member Dana Cutter decide to support Rege. Voting in favor of Rege along with Cutter was School Committee members Susan Lecca, Shane Brooks, Mary-Elizabeth Costello, Marjorie Wojcik, and Rev. Johnathon Tetherly, while Mayor Richard Goyette, and School Committee members Donald Lamothe, Susan Lopes, Chester Szetela, Michael Pise and Ronald Chapdelaine voted to hire Kos. Following another 6-6 vote and a 20-minute recess, the Committee proposed hiring Rege for a two year term, with an option of a third year. Goyette then addressed the School Committee, announcing that, although he still felt that Kos was the best candidate, he would break the deadlock by voting for Rege. Prior to the vote, Goyette said, "This is the most difficult decision that the School Committee has ever been faced with, but the school system needs a leader. "Is this continued deadlock the best option for the children of Chicopee? As much as I like Kos, Rege is also an outstanding candidate, and I will vote for him," he said. Goyette's announcement was trailed by a similar decision by Lamothe, and when the motion was put forth to nominate Rege for a two year contract with a one year optional term, all voted in favor with the exception of Szetela and Lopes. Goyette then proposed a motion to make the vote unanimous, during which all Committee members vote to hire Rege. After the meeting, Goyette said that the night's events represented a "very difficult decision for the School Committee." "I truly felt that Richard Kos was the better candidate, but I also realize that we had to move this forward with the best interest of the children in mind," Goyette said. Pise said that although he agreed to vote for Rege, he still believes that Kos was the right person for the job. "I do believe [Rege] has a bit of work to do to succeed," Pise said. "I don't think he's the best candidate, but I'll do what is best to move the district forward." Lopes said that throughout the search, she has "felt strongly all along that Kos was the right choice. That's why I continued to support him." During the meeting, many Committee members made references to the noticeable divide among the School Committee that the search for a superintendent has inspired. Commenting on this division, Wojick said that, she felt all of the School Committee members, although sometimes differing in opinion, have been putting what they believe is the best interest of the city's children in mind. "What we all have to learn is that when we walk out of this building, down those stairs and into the parking lot, it's all over, and it's time to move on," she said. " I think we can do it." | ||||||
