Search committee narrows superintendent candidate field to seven

Date: 4/5/2011

April 6, 2011

By Debbie Gardner

Assistant Editor

WESTFIELD — By the March 15 deadline, the School Superintendent Search Committee had received a total of 19 applications for the position.

The initial group of applicants included "a broad range of knowledge and experience and degrees," according to Helen Bowler, chief officer, Operations and Human Resources/General Counsel for Westfield Public Schools.

School Superintendent Shirley Alvira announced earlier last year she would be retiring effective July 9, 2011.

By its March 28 meeting, Bowler said the committee — comprised of School Committee member Laura Maloney, parents, teachers, principals, community members and representatives of the School Department support staff — had narrowed the field down significantly.

"They had reviewed all the applicants first, and then they asked seven to come in and meet with them last Monday," Bowler said.

She added that the meeting was just "a preliminary screening."

The Search Committee will now review the interviews and report out its recommendations to the full School Committee. Bowler said she expects the committee would pass on its report "within the next two weeks."

The Westfield School District is comprised of 6,000 students attending 12 schools. The posted salary range for the position of superintendent is between $130,00 and $165,000.