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| By Katelyn Gendron Reminder Assistant Editor SOUTHWICK Experience is the driving force behind the search for the new superintendent of the Southwick-Tolland Regional School District. According to members of the search committee, the three finalists for the position which retiring Superintendent Thomas Witham will vacate all have extensive central office experience that will propel this district into expanded facilities and enhanced curriculums. The three candidates scheduled for their second round interviews at the March 18 School Committee meeting include Dr. John Barry, superintendent of the North Berkshire School Union in North Adams, Mass., Mark LaRoach, superintendent of the Winthrop Public Schools in Winthrop, Maine, and Paul Petit, assistant superintendent at Southwick-Tolland Regional School District and Granville School District. "We're gonna have a difficult decision," George LeBlanc, School Committee member, said, adding that each candidate's extensive experience throughout their educational and professional careers will allow them to hit the ground running. "I'm hoping [for a successor] with strong leadership," Withman said. He explained that he and school officials have been working steadily on a new five-year strategic plan and have submitted their approximately $16 million building plan to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). He explained the new five-year strategic plan will be one for continuous use and modification. "The previous document is rather cumbersome and we're looking at a more simplistic model," Withman said. He explained that if approved by the MSBA the building plan will include a new facility for pre-kindergarten through second grade, which will free up much-needed space at the Woodland Elementary School and Powder Mill Middle School. "We have a growing community and our schools are stretched to capacity," LeBlanc said, adding that the building plan does not address needed improvements to the high school. He said updated facilities such as those in the science labs, which were built during the 1970s, are greatly needed. "He knows we're going into a building program and he thought the superintendent should be here to see it through," James Vincent, chair of the School Committee, said of Withman's retirement. In addition to the building plan, prior to his departure Withman said he and the Curriculum Revision and Review Committee are looking to implement changes specifically in the areas of math and science. Vincent explained that lower than expected Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System scores prompted the revisions. Withman said the committee will be looking to modify the language arts curriculums next year with the new superintendent. The School Committee will make their final decision and announce the district's new superintendent at their April 15 meeting. |