NEWBURYPORT — They've met with each of the three finalists for superintendent, and now the School Committee is taking its time deliberating on which one is best suited for the job.
The initial plan was to select one of the three at the close of Tuesday's final public interview, but it was decided that more time was needed to gather feedback from the community and really spend time making what has emerged as a tough choice among the three, committee member Bruce Menin said.
"We decided we wanted a little more time to do some due diligence, get in touch with references," Menin said yesterday. "We're happy with all the candidates — the search committee brought forward some really good candidates."
Menin said a meeting has been scheduled for Monday to discuss the matter further and perhaps make a final selection. In the meantime, they will be perusing feedback forms submitted by community members, teachers, administrators, city leaders and school staff who had the opportunity to meet with all three candidates.
Those forms will factor heavily in their decision, said Nock PTO President Beth Simkins, who served on the Superintendent Search Committee and helped coordinate the candidates' visits to the district.
"Everybody that I saw filled out feedback forms, and they are reading every single one of them," Simkins said. "This decision is not being made without public feedback."
She described Marc Kerble, a current assistant superintendent of Winchester Public Schools, as outgoing and passionate about the position.
"He's extremely outgoing, very approachable, and ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work," Simkins said. "He is the only candidate out of the three who is not a superintendent. He's currently an assistant superintendent but has been mentored by some of the best."
She described Erin Nosek as a "no-nonsense" candidate who has worn many hats as superintendent of the North Brookfield School system.
"She comes from a much smaller school system, so she's had to wear many hats in her current superintendent position," she said. "She speaks from experience, which in many respects is an excellent quality to have."
John Bayless is the candidate with the most experience, Simkins said. He retired from California's Cabrillo Unified School District in 2007 and has worked as a consultant ever since.
"He has the most years of superintendency under his belt," she said. "He has a presence. Not only is he tall in stature, but he just appears to be a very commanding presence. You just know there's a level of experience there."
Simkins said candidates met with numerous residents and school staff throughout their whirlwind district tours, which started each day at 8 a.m. and didn't finish until 9 p.m.
The basic flow of the day was to start at the high school and get a tour with Principal Mike Parent, Simkins said. Then they toured the middle school and Molin School and met with Nock Principal Barry Hopping and Molin Principal Lori Gallivan.
Lunch was spent with members of the business community, including key members of the Newburyport Education Foundation, Newburyport Education/Business Coalition and Chamber of Commerce.
"They were able to sit down with some of the partners in the school system for lunch," Simkins said. "Then they came back and they went to the Bresnahan — spent some time with (Principal) Christina Davis, then I took them over to the Brown, and they spent some time with Margo Perriello."
Candidates also met with interim Superintendent Deirdre Farrell, Central Office staff, the schools' technology department, coach specialists, members of the building department, learning enrichment center, teachers and youth services staff.
"Their only break was 45 minutes for dinner, which we brought in to them," Simkins said.
Simkins said approximately 15 to 20 residents turned out to the public candidate interviews on Friday, Monday and Tuesday, and it was hard to gauge from their reactions if one candidate above all others rose to the top of the heap. They all had their positive attributes, she said.
"It really is difficult to find one that stands apart from the others, so I think it's going to take some more time to peel back the onion on each of them and make sure we're making the right choice," Simkins said.
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