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Date: 3/21/2023
PALMER — The search for a new superintendent of Palmer Public Schools has been narrowed down to four finalists.
During the March 15 School Committee meeting, Superintendent Search Committee Chair Bill Partelo announced their recommendations including Brian Ackerman, Matthew Francis, William Metzger and Palmer High School Principal Susan North.
Partelo shared, “I was honored to be elected chair of the superintendent search committee and it was a privilege to serve amongst all the elected volunteers who devoted their time so that we can recommend a group of applicants that we believe will serve and create a prosperous district for Palmer.” He went on to thank everyone who applied for the position.
Michael Dodge, a representative from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC), attended the meeting to discuss next steps.
He explained that the search committee reviewed several applications and finished deliberation the night before finalists were announced at the School Committee meeting.
To stay on track with the timeline that was provided to applicants, Dodge said interviews will take place beginning the week of March 27. School Committee members ultimately decided for the four interviews to be spread out, from March 27 to 29 and on April 3.
Dodge noted that staff from MASC will be available during the interviews to assist.
Prior to meeting with the School Committee in open session, candidates will have the opportunity to visit Palmer Public Schools to spend the day with key district leaders, teachers, students and more.
Around the same time, the School Committee will send a few individuals to visit the finalists’ respective school districts. Although North is an internal candidate, Dodge said they “still want to hold that same process” to make it consistent and fair.
School Committee Vice Chair Sandra Noonan offered to visit the home districts of the finalists.
Chairperson Bonny Rathbone said she would be available for a few of the visits as well, along with Old Mill Pond Interim Assistant Principal Kerry Lynch. These individuals will be able to meet with union leaders, principals or superintendents if the finalist is not already one, teachers, students, parents, police chief, resource officers and more.
All the finalist districts are in Massachusetts, including Dudley, Chicopee, Southbridge and Palmer.
Dodge said another individual or group must be appointed to greet the finalists and show them around when they come to Palmer. Interim Superintendent Colleen Culligan, Interim Director of Finance and Operations Sara Menard, and Lynch offered to be the hostesses.
Lastly, Dodge said the School Committee needs to identify a process for interview questions. With a tight turnaround, he noted that MASC can provide members with a packet of questions. From there, members can send back their top questions and any additional ones for a final list to be created.
Before the interview takes place in an open session, Dodge explained that the School Committee must say these are the questions members decided on and then take the vote.
Prior to the interviews, candidates will have a meet and greet to introduce themselves to parents, students and members of the community and answer any questions people might have.
Dodge noted that a meet and greet is not mandatory, however, Rathbone said she believes that is a good way to introduce each candidate. School Committee member Joseph Nompleggi made a motion to host a meet and greet, which was unanimously approved.
The meet and greets will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dodge suggested that candidates have a 30-minute break to decompress and gather their thoughts before the interview starts at 7 p.m.
As the interviews typically last about one hour, Dodge said there is time for about 12 to 13 questions. The same questions must be asked to all candidates.
Dodge asked the School Committee members to identify two or three questions they would like to ask by March 20. The questions will then be compiled and voted on prior to the first interview on March 27.
Rathbone was appointed as the “point person” to remain in contact with MASC as this process unfolds.
Noonan recognized the members of the search committee for their work on this. Rathbone agreed and said the amount dedicated to this is “absolutely, positively incredible.”
Old Mill Pond administration
There is new administration at Old Mill Pond including interim Principal Holly-Beth Riopel and interim Assistant Principal Lynch.
Culligan noted that the principal position has been posted with an application deadline of early April. A search committee is currently being constructed as the process to find a new principal is underway.
Other items
The School Committee unanimously approved Palmer Public Schools becoming a school choice district for the 2023-24 school year.
A working session will take place on April 12 to discuss the FY24 budget.