NEWBURYPORT — The high school's Room #118 erupted in cheers and applause last night when the School Committee learned their unanimous choice for superintendent of schools, Marc Kerble, had accepted the job.
Mayor Donna Holaday made the call to Kerble within minutes of the committee's unanimous vote last night, and it took him little time to assure her of his intent to withdraw from consideration in Manchester Essex School District, where he was expected to interview tomorrow as a superintendent finalist.
Kerble is expected to take over the school district's top position after this school year ends. The post has been held by interim Superintendent Deirdre Farrell.
Though the district faces an uncertain budget season, the mood in the School Committee's meeting hall was upbeat and positive last night, and it was clear from members' comments they believe the district's future is in the right hands with Kerble.
His longevity in his past positions, his affability, his ability to build consensus with different constituencies and his high expectations for student achievement were touted by the committee.
"I'm impressed with the fact that he stays in places for a long length of time so he can really make a difference," Holaday said. "He works quietly behind the scenes, and he's very, very effective."
"The breadth of experience really impresses me," School Committee member Bruce Menin agreed, noting Kerble's work turning his home district of Winchester to an inclusionary classroom model, as has recently been done in Newburyport.
Menin and others on the committee noted how people spoke of Kerble in Winchester, where he's worked for the past nine years and has made quite an impression.
"People were expressing great devotion to him," Menin said of those the committee spoke with in Winchester on Tuesday. "They said somehow I want to work harder for him."
Newburyport began its search for a superintendent last year after Kevin Lyons announced he was leaving to lead Hudson's School District. The search firm Hazard, Young and Attea was employed to help procure a group of candidates, organizing upward of 40 focus groups from across the city to determine qualities Newburyport was looking for in its ideal candidate.
Committee member Stephanie Weaver reminded the committee last night of the leadership profile compiled from those focus group meetings, pointing to how many of them Kerble possesses.
"It's clear from that profile that the community wants a good listener and good communication with all the stakeholders," she said. "I believe that's Marc's greatest strength."
Weaver also noted that Kerble was lauded in his district for his commitment, and that Winchester, like Newburyport, has a strategic plan to guide it.
"He's seen that plan, and he likes that plan," she said.
The committee took a week to deliberate over three candidates presented to them by an appointed search committee, a list that was reduced to two candidates after John Bayless of San Francisco withdrew his name from consideration. Members spoke highly of the second candidate — Dr. Erin Nosek, superintendent of North Brookfeild Schools — who they said received rave reviews in her home district for setting schools back on a positive course.
"What impressed me about Erin is she was a teacher before she was an administrator," said Cheryl Sweeney, who credited her with changing North Brookfield's high school block scheduling, bringing in virtual high school and procuring a $100,000 grant for technology upgrades.
Everyone around her is positive," said Steven Cole of the positive climate Nosek had created in her time at Brookfield.
But in the end, the committee unanimously backed Kerble for the job, who they felt could find creative solutions to financial setbacks and ultimately fulfill the high expectations of the community where curriculum is concerned.
"Good enough is not good enough for him," said Nick deKanter of Kerble.
They all agreed Kerble's "people person" skills would be an asset across all areas of the job.
"He's all about relationships," Dan Koen said. "You can't get anything done without relationships."
The committee ended the meeting last night with an executive session in which they planned to discuss upcoming negotiations with Kerble. They plan to meet with Kerble Monday at 6 p.m. to make him a formal offer.
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