Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 8/24/2022
CHICOPEE – The School Committee formally announced the members of the superintendent search process during its Aug. 17 meeting.
Background
The city continues to seek long-time leadership of the School Department after former Superintendent Lynn Clark was arrested in April. Assistant Superintendent Alvin Morton was named acting superintendent in the wake of Clark’s arrest on April 22, with the School Committee approving a one-year contract on June 1 for Morton to be the interim superintendent for the 2022-23 school year.
Before forming the superintendent search committee, Mayor John Vieau provided insights to Reminder Publishing on creating an equitable and productive process. Vieau said he worked closely with Chief of Staff Michael Pise, who previously served on the School Committee for 29 years, to define a comprehensive group of individuals who would manage the initial search.
“It’s an exciting time not only for the school district, but also the community,” said Vieau.
The superintendent search committee will analyze applicants over the school year with a goal of narrowing the field down to three candidates. The School Committee will then conduct interviews with the applicants before selecting the school district’s new leader.
Vieau expects the process to take most of, if not all of, the school year.
“I don’t think [the School Committee] wants to put in a new superintendent by the middle of the year,” said Vieau.
The committee initially consists of Vieau, Pise, School Committee Vice Chair Susan Szetela-Lopes and Chicopee Education Association President Laura Demakis. Two school administrators, two school staff members, two parents, two community representatives and three additional members of the School Committee were set to be announced at the Aug. 17 meeting via a random drawing.
The mayor shared that he wanted a plethora of perspectives onboard for the important selection.
“We want everyone included in this process,” said Vieau.
The Massachusetts Association of School Committees will also play a role in vetting qualified applications. Vieau expects the vacant position to attract a wide net of interest.
“Who wouldn’t want to be the superintendent of the best school district in Western Mass.,” questioned Vieau.
School Committee meeting
Before the random drawing, Szetela-Lopes provided an overview of the superintendent search committee’s upcoming process. The search committee will gather for their first meeting in the middle of September before releasing the application on Sept. 30.
“Applicants will be given four to five weeks to apply … Nov. 18 is going to be the deadline for applicants. The Massachusetts Association of School Committees will vent all the applications that they receive … and only give School Committee members the ones that are qualified,” said Szetela-Lopes.
Applicant screenings will begin in December for the search committee, with interviews being conducted soon after in January. All School Committee members will be present for interviews and candidates’ on-site visits.
During the search, the city will also host focus groups where community members can offer their perspectives on addressing the vacancy.
“The focus groups will provide the information to the School Committee for their consideration as they make their final selection,” said Szetela-Lopes.
Right before the initial drawing, Ward 1 School Committee member Tim Wagner expressed his preference for the School Committee to vote on the representatives who will take part in the search committee. Wagner argued that the committee did not have a voice in establishing the random selection process.
“It’s a process that this committee did not have very much say on. … We really had no say in it,” said Wagner.
Szetela-Lopes shared that the planned process received approval from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. Ward 7 School Committee member Donald Lamothe reiterated that the School Committee still selects the final candidate. He also said the planned process is similar to search efforts committed in the past.
Ward 2 School Committee member David Barsalou, Lamothe and Ward 9 School Committee member Ronald Bernard were selected during the random drawing, with Ward 6 School Committee member Samuel Shumsky named as an alternate.
Other members randomly selected to the committee include Barry Elementary School Principal Kate Lambert and Chicopee Public Schools Food Services Director Melanie Wilk. Two parents, two staff members and two community members were additionally chosen to serve on the committee.
The School Committee will meet again on Sept. 7.