East Bridgewater names Dr. Gina Williams interim superintendent and moves to negotiate permanent contract

The East Bridgewater School Committee on April 15 appointed Dr. Gina Williams as interim superintendent and voted to enter negotiations to make her the district's permanent superintendent.

The committee voted to appoint Williams during its public meeting after members heard an endorsement from the East Bridgewater Education Association (EBEA). Amanda Castle, vice president of the EBEA, read a statement urging the committee to appoint Williams based on her decade as assistant superintendent and her work with staff, curriculum and negotiated contracts. "Over the past decade, Dr. Williams has demonstrated exceptional leadership as the assistant superintendent, consistently collaborating with the East Bridgewater Education Association to enhance curriculum, instruction, and ultimately student learning," Castle said.

Committee members then moved to appoint Williams as interim; the motion carried by voice vote. Members also voted to authorize Williams to serve as the district's voting representative to the North River Collaborative and the Reeds (Reeds?) Collaborative while she holds the interim post. Later in the meeting a separate motion to begin negotiations with Williams for the long-term superintendent position passed by voice vote.

School leaders said the stepwise process is intended to provide continuity while giving the committee time to finalize a multi-year contract. Dr. Williams told the committee the district's building committee is continuing work on the Central School project and other ongoing initiatives.

The teachers' union endorsement preceded the votes. Kurt Shippey, identified as EBEA president, introduced Castle before she delivered the written recommendation. Castle listed collaborative leadership items she said Williams had led, including a Professional Development Academy, a districtwide staff handbook and a diversity, equity and inclusion team.

Votes at a glance (recorded outcomes stated in the meeting): - Appoint Dr. Gina Williams interim superintendent: approved (voice vote; committee reported in discussion later that five members voted in favor; one member absent). Motion and second were made on the floor; mover/second not specified in the meeting transcript. - Authorize Dr. Williams as voting member of North River Collaborative and Reeds Collaborative: approved (voice vote). - Motion to enter negotiations with Dr. Williams to become full-time superintendent: approved (voice vote).

Discussion vs. decision: the committee held public discussion and heard the EBEA statement prior to votes. The record shows formal actions (appointments and authorization) and a separate direction to negotiate a long-term contract; the transcript does not show a final signed contract during that meeting.

The committee did not identify specific contract terms during the public meeting. Committee members said they expected to complete contract details before the end of the calendar year.