News

Search for new Triton superintendent underway

By Michelle Pelletier Marshall
Correspondent
Published: October 14, 2009

BYFIELD — The Triton Regional School Committee has decided to use the services of Michael Gilbert from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees to assist in the search for a new superintendent for the Triton district.

Dr. Sandra Halloran, who has served in this position since 2005, announced earlier this year that she would be retiring in October 2010.

Gilbert's services were chosen over those of New England School Development Council, as the School Committee unanimously agreed that his presentation to the committee was the most impressive.

Ed Mavragis, Triton School Committee chairman, indicated there was a better comfort level with Gilbert because he lives and works in Massachusetts and he serves on a school committee himself at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School.

"Our final choice wasn't made on cost, though Gilbert's fee is more reasonable than most; it was on choosing the best match for Triton, and we are confident we have done that," he said.

Gilbert's base fee is $8,500, which will most likely increase due to other costs, such as advertising, but the total cost is not expected to exceed $15,000.

"Hiring a new superintendent is the single most important decision we will make as a committee," Mavragis said. "We are off to an early start in our search and believe we have a lot to offer candidates in the way of the school, the towns and the amenities. We look forward to choosing a new superintendent by the end of March."

The first step the committee is taking is assembling an advisory committee with representatives from the district communities. This Search Advisory Committee will be composed of 17 individuals representing teachers, parents, town officials, administrators, non-instructional staff, students and district residents.

Most of these individuals will be chosen by representative groups within the district, except for a district resident. Any resident interested in serving on the Search Advisory Committee who is willing to commit to the interviewing schedule should send a letter of interest with their contact information by Friday, Dec. 4, to Patricia Morelli, via e-mail, pmorelli@trsd.net, or to Triton Regional Superintendent's Office, 112 Elm St., Byfield, MA 01922. The district resident representative will be chosen randomly from submitted letters at the Dec. 9 School Committee meeting.

Once the committee is formed, it will begin its task of narrowing the field of candidates to three to five finalists. Each representative will be asked to commit to the interview schedule, and only those representatives who participate in all interviews will be allowed to take part in the finalist selection.

The group will meet with search adviser Gilbert in January to review the selection criteria and compose questions for the interviews, which will take place in early February. The selection of the three to five finalists will occur immediately after the last interview. The three to five finalists will then be interviewed by the School Committee, which will make the final choice of a new superintendent in March.