Sullivan named superintendent of Gill-Montague school district
Date: 4/18/2013
By Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.comLONGMEADOW — Michael Sullivan, Longmeadow Public Schools' assistant superintendent for Learning is leaving the district at the end of the year.
The East Longmeadow native was selected as the new superintendent for the Gill-Montague Regional School District, Superintendent Marie Doyle said in an email to Longmeadow faculty and staff, which was made available to the media on April 12.
"It is with mixed emotions that I send you this email. On one hand, I am happy to announce that Michael Sullivan has just been appointed as superintendent of Gill-Montague School District. On the other hand, we are losing a talented administrator," she said in the letter.
Sullivan will officially take over the reins of the Gill-Montague Regional School District on July 1.
According to media reports by The Recorder in Greenfield, Sullivan was one of four finalists for the position, which included one internal candidate. According to the job posting, the position carries with it a three-year contract with a salary between $130,000 and $160,000, plus benefits.
The district has been without permanent leadership since former Superintendent Carl Ladd resigned in 2011. Since his resignation, two different interim superintendents have supervised the district.
The Gill-Montague Regional School District, which has an enrollment of slightly more than 1,000 students from Gill, Montague and Erving, has been classified by the state as a Level 4 district since 2007, meaning it is an underperforming district in need of intervention. It is one of only 12 districts in the state to be classified as Level 4.
"Michael is ready to take on this new challenge. He has chosen to go to a Level 4 district, understanding the challenges of helping a school system in need. They will be fortunate to have Michael at the helm," Doyle said.
Sullivan has been Longmeadow's assistant superintendent for Learning since 2011. He was elevated to that position after serving as principal of Glenbrook Middle School from 2006 to 2011. Prior to that, he taught and served as an administrator in the Northampton Public School system. He has a bachelor's and master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
"The administrative team will miss Michael for his passion, intelligence and wit. He has played a critical role in moving our district forward," Doyle said.
Sullivan was not available for comment as of press time.
