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Date: 7/5/2022
SOUTH HADLEY – The South Hadley Schools have extended acting Superintendent Dr. Mark McLaughlin and acting Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Voyik through the end of August as they await more information regarding Superintendent Jahmal Mosely.
Currently there is no update on the status of Mosely who was placed on leave earlier this year. Former School Committee Chair Dr. Jackson Matos called the circumstances surrounding Mosely’s status as a “personal matter” back in May and the committee has not discussed it publicly. Matos later confirmed to Reminder Publishing that Mosely is being compensated during his absence in accordance with the law.
Current Chair Allison Schlachter said the School Committee has worked this year to make sure things are covered and there is a team working together through the movement in school leadership.
“We are going to make sure there is an acting superintendent and acting assistant superintendent so that all the very important work in the central office can be completed as it needs to be,” Schlachter said. “At this time because we don’t have any updates on our situation with Dr. Mosely, at this time we have to ensure that we have an acting superintendent and assistant superintendent and that is why we appointed them to these roles.”
Contracts were extended through the end of August and when that time comes another extension can be expected if there is still no update on Mosely.
“The end of the August is as far as we can go out right now because there are just some things, we have to get figured out in a timely manner but also we have to do our due diligence and make sure we are going through the process thoughtfully and fully,” said Schlachter.
She added that she hopes by mid-August they have more information and a better idea of where to go from there in terms of extension talks and finding a permanent replacement.
McLaughlin came into the role and faced some early challenges as acting superintendent. The death of Plains Elementary Principal Hank Skala as well as an online threat made towards the schools caused commotion early on but Schlachter credits McLaughlin for handling these issues flawlessly and being a great leader for the district.
Schlachter called McLaughlin “an amazing human being” who is a mix of empathetic and a strong leadership style.
“I think the biggest asset he has brought is the way he listens and the way he communicates back. Hes a proactive communicator and the way he thinks through things creates a lot of trust and comfort for the community,” Schlachter said. “I think he creates a real team environment. What I get when administrators connect with school committee, you can tell they’ve been working as a team and had a lot of conversations, and that Dr. McLaughlin is a member of that team and right in there getting his hands dirty. That’s huge.”
In terms of long-term goals of leadership in the district the School Committee looks to continue working with the district to keep a solid foundation up while they work through the summer and await later decisions on the Superintendent position. Schlachter added that unfortunately the South Hadley school district has dealt with their fair share of crisis over the time that are beyond the typical growing pains of a community.
Schlachter said she thinks the difficult situations that have come up as well as the turnover of the superintendent position the last few years has created the view of instability and uncertainty, but the community has responded to adversity and kept the foundation of the district together.
“South Hadley schools are strong and the people within them are strong and devoted and committed and what I hope for is a time where we can have more stability in central office and with our administration so we can get into a groove,” Schlachter said.
Schlachter added that even though there has been change and challenges faced, those in charge in the School Committee and the department remain committed and working hard to show the public that things are under control.
“Even though on the outside there looks like maybe some instability, I want people to understand that things are OK and that the district is running and it’s running well,” Schlachter said.