Johnston may land job as permanent superintendent next week

Date: 10/5/2010

Oct. 6, 2010

By Katelyn Gendron

Assistant Editor

WEST SPRINGFIELD -- The search for a new school superintendent may be over far sooner than one-year expected.

The School Committee voted unanimously -- Daniel Sullivan and Carmino Santaniello abstaining -- at its meeting on Sept. 28 to suspend the search and interview Interim Superintendent Dr. Russell Johnston for the job on Oct. 12. Their decision was based on Massachusetts Association of School Committee Field Director Patricia Correira's data-backed endorsement of Johnston.

"The support for this gentleman was palpable and the desire to see him appointed as your next superintendent was, as I said before, overwhelming," she said.

Correira compiled the data via focus groups of school faculty and staff, and members of the community totaling 200 participants, as well as an online survey completed by 195 members of the community.

"All [participants] expressed a desire to see him continue in this position well after the year concludes," she explained. "While I realize he has only been in this position for a short time, I believe, based on the input I have received that it would be in the best interest of the West Springfield School District to suspend the search process before we advertise in October, interview Mr. Johnston in public and if he is able to satisfy the School Committee and the community at large, offer him a contract."

Johnston will be present for an open meeting time with residents from 3 to 5 p.m., prior to the public interview from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. on Oct. 12. At 7 p.m., the School Committee will vote on whether or not to appoint Johnston permanently or reinstate the search process.

"I think we're taking the right track. I've gotten a good amount of feedback from teachers and administrators and employees of the school department that they [support Johnston's appointment]," Mayor Edward Gibson, chair of the School Committee, said. "I think he'd be a great permanent superintendent. If there's that strong a feeling, especially from within, it makes sense to put him through the interview process."

When asked if he was surprised by Correira's recommendation, Johnston replied, "Yes, I was very surprised. The process was kept appropriately confidential so I was not aware of what had been said during the focus groups or in the surveys. I was humbled and honored to hear that I have earned the respect of the teachers and parents for whom I hold the utmost respect."

Johnston said he would like to retain the permanent position because "it is very rewarding to receive the opportunity to lead a diverse student body and I greatly enjoy the challenge of working toward excellence for all."

"West Springfield also has wonderfully intelligent, capable and determined teachers, and it is a privilege to be the superintendent for such talented people. I know that through collaborating with our teachers and families we are going to take the students of West Springfield very far," he added.