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Date: 7/13/2022
NORTHAMPTON – After three public interviews and an hour-plus conversation on July 7, the Northampton School Committee voted to select Howard Eberwein III as the interim superintendent for up to one year until a permanent candidate is found.
Eberwein is an educational consultant, project manager and School Committee member in Berkshire County. He is a Dalton resident and former principal who also served as an administrator at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams. He was one of three finalists interviewed for the job during the July 7 meeting. The other two were Jannell Pearson-Campbell, a former assistant superintendent of teaching and learning at the Old Rochester Regional School District in Plymouth County; and Marlene DiLeo, who has worked as a superintendent in Ware for eight years.
The School Committee interviewed the three finalists using the same 10 questions. They asked about their approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion; how they would handle central office and teacher vacancy issues; their management styles, as well as how they plan to heal community divides and provide an open line of communication with important stakeholders.
Eberwein said that he is currently working on a project that involves a consortium of districts across Berkshire County to explore some of the challenges school districts face in the region, like declining enrollment and challenging resources.
“I’ve always gravitated towards roles in which I can have an impact, be a leader, work with people,” said Eberwein, regarding his decision to pursue the Northampton interim position. “The work is in the schools, in the districts with kids and communities … I like situations which I can come in, work with people, solve problems and manage projects.”
Eberwein said his first order of business is to ensure staffing is sufficient with the “highest quality people” and to make sure the district understands what the expectations are. “The most important thing is to make sure that you’re ready to open schools successfully,” said Eberwein. “I think communications and outreach would be an important part of early steps.”
The new interim superintendent also said he plans to have an open line of communication to help get to know people in the district. “I’m someone who prides myself on responding to everybody,” said Eberwein. “Everyone deserves the courtesy of a response.”
When asked about his management style, Eberwein said that he is an “easygoing” person to work with. He told the committee that he surrounds himself with hard-working people and aims to bring that same environment to Northampton while also providing the resources the district needs to make that happen. “[I’m] very accessible, glad to talk with folks, but we’ve come to the table to do important work, and we’re going to move ahead with it,” said Eberwein.
Eberwein did not say exactly when he could begin the job, but he said he needs at least a week to button up the consulting work he is involved with. He also said that he has a vacation planned for August with his family.
Former Northampton superintendent John Provost started as a chief of the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District on July 1. A separate search for a permanent superintendent in Northampton will occur in the coming months.
During the meeting, the School Committee also voted to appoint Susan Wright as acting superintendent until Eberwein begins work. Wright is currently the interim business manager for the school district and will continue in both roles. She also served as the city’s finance director from 2011-2021.
School Committee Vice Chairwoman Gwen Agna informed everyone that there were 11 people who applied for the interim position. After doing a screening of their qualifications, the Ad Hoc Superintendent Committee that worked on narrowing the candidates found that seven of the 11 met the minimum qualifications. The committee then narrowed the field to five candidates after screening for other elements they found important.
During her interview, Pearson-Campbell – who began her journey in education 22 years ago and has worked as a classroom teacher, principal, and assistant director of education – told the committee that she is someone who listens and has the technical background to move the district forward. She said her skill set involves a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as literacy to help students become better prepared for college.
“I am a third-generation Black American educator, and my journey here has been a long one, but it’s also prepared me for this opportunity,” said Pearson-Campbell. “I can bring people together on behalf of the students.”
Pearson-Campbell said it is most important for the district to attract candidates who want to work in their school system, while also making sure that the school buildings are ready for the first day in September.
She also stressed the importance of caring about people by telling a personal anecdote at the end of her interview. “In 2020, I lost my father, and one of the things I learned was just taking care of people,” Pearson-Campbell said. “Take care of people first, and education will come … As you hear in my voice, I try to talk soothing because we don’t know what people have lost during the [coronavirus] pandemic. It could be a family member, it could be a job, it could be a tradition.”
DiLeo, who has worked in Ware Public Schools for 14 years, told the School Committee that one of her greatest strengths is her ability to work with all people. “I feel I’m a bridge builder, and part of what I look at is, ‘how do I become part of the solution,” said DiLeo. “I believe that part of my job, in addition to all of the pieces of what it takes to run a district…is making sure that a relationship is built with all stakeholders.”
Aside from carrying a collaborative style of managing, DiLeo also stated that her experience with buildings in all school grades has allowed her to properly coach senior administrators. Additionally, when asked her commitment to diversity and inclusion, DiLeo said she takes pride in doing anti-racist and anti-bias work in the community, especially since it is so personal to her.
“I take it very personal that there is a seat at the table for all individuals,” said DiLeo. “I’m married to a woman. I’ve been with my partner for 20 years, married for 16, raised two children … We need to make sure that students and staff have a clear understanding that everybody is important, and that they are a part of the learning community.”
Ward 7 School Committee member Kaia Goleman was the sole committee member to vote no for Eberwein, stating that she preferred Pearson-Campbell, instead. However, she said she was impressed with Eberwein’s leadership and “great deal of confidence.”
He really checks a lot of the pieces that resonate with me,” said Goleman.
Ward 6 member Margaret Miller said she likes how Eberwein “thinks outside of the box” and brings an ability to work with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. She also added that she was torn between Eberwein and Pearson-Campbell and encouraged Pearson-Campbell to apply for the permanent job when it is available.
Miller said if she were to go with her heart, she would pick Pearson-Campbell because of her dedication to healing the community and bridging fractured relationships. She ultimately decided to go with Eberwein due to his skill and experience.
Ward 1 member Meg Robbins, meanwhile, said Eberwein checked all the boxes and commended him for his congenial attitude toward the position. She also enjoyed Pearson-Campbell’s big picture ideas for Northampton and also hopes she considers the district for a permanent superintendent position when the time comes.
Robbins praised DiLeo for her experience and ability to work in difficult districts, but also said there was some uncertainty and confusion surrounding her start date for the interim position.
The School Committee planned to meet on July 12 to discuss Eberwein’s contract.