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Date: 1/10/2023
SOUTH HADLEY – The School Committee’s first meeting of 2023 saw the group vote to promote Acting Superintendent Mark McLaughlin to the role of interim superintendent following the formal resignation of previous Superintendent Dr. Jahmal Mosley on Dec. 31, 2022.
Mosley had been on leave from his position since March 2022
At the Jan. 6 meeting, McLaughlin said it was a privilege to be able to work with the committee and thanked them for their support for the role of interim superintendent.
“It’s a privilege to work for the students of South Hadley and with the teachers of South Hadley, it really is. I just thank you all very much for your kindness and for the opportunity,” McLaughlin said.
School Committee Chair Allison Schlachter thanked McLaughlin for stepping into the role of acting superintendent during the past year with “incredible grace” and for how he has stepped up to many challenges faced in that time.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer the role of interim superintendent to Dr. McLaughlin. He has proven to be a remarkably strong leader and excellent collaborator,” Schlachter told Reminder Publishing. “In a short period of time, he has made many important improvements to the district such as strengthening our administrative team, establishing a better understanding of policy and procedure across the board and is enhancing curriculum. South Hadley is fortunate to have a champion like Dr. McLaughlin for our students.”
When opened to the committee, overwhelming support for McLaughlin was expressed by the other members. Vice Chair Eric Friesner said he had no reservations offering the interim role to McLaughlin and added he has been a “big fan” of the direction the district has been in the last year.
Member Lynda Pickbourn said in a recent meeting where the committee heard from various administrators talking about progress in their schools that there was a common emphasized theme of the importance of team building and communication. She added this is a sign of McLaughlin’s leadership rubbing off on the district.
“I think Mark has been really key to team building in the district,” said Pickbourn. “I have no hesitation in supporting his appointment as interim superintendent.”
Acting Assistant Superintendent Jen Voyik was appointed into the permanent role of the position during the meeting. Schlachter said the position was “earned and deserved” for Voyik and called her the “backbone” of the district.
“The future looks bright for SHPS [South Hadley Public Schools] with Mark and Jenn at the helm,” Schlachter said.
When asked for about Mosley’s departure Schlachter had no further comment.
Mosley had been out of office and on leave since March of last year for reasons still unknown. He sent in his resignation letter to the district on the final day of 2022 leaving the committee with an opening at the position.
McLaughlin has been with the district since late July 2021, according to Mosley’s Aug. 5, 2021 report to the School Committee. He previously served the Merrimack, NH, school district for 12 years, including 10 as assistant superintendent and his final two as superintendent.
McLaughlin has a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Anslem College, a Master of Arts in English literature from Boston College and a Doctor of Education from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
The interim role will have McLaughlin serve throughout the remainder of the school year. The vacancy created by Mosley’s resignation made the committee have to act on filling it, thus promoting McLaughlin into the interim role.