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Braintree School Committee appoints Tim McDonald superintendent in 4-3 vote
Summary
The Braintree School Committee voted 4-3 to appoint Tim McDonald as superintendent after considering three finalists and receiving 349 community feedback responses; negotiations and contact with MASC were next steps.
The Braintree School Committee voted 4 to 3 on Monday to appoint Tim McDonald as the district's next superintendent, the committee announced after a roll-call vote.
The vote followed a selection process that produced three finalists and public input collected via a feedback form and QR code that produced 349 responses and “dozens of emails,” according to committee members. The committee said it will begin contract negotiations and contact the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) following the vote.
Committee discussion highlighted differing priorities among members. School Committee member Dr. Anne Horak said the committee must hire someone ready on day one to meet goals including improving student achievement, narrowing achievement gaps and overseeing the district strategic plan. “She has a fresh view on providing mental health support for students and staff,” Dr. Horak said of candidate Melissa Ryan, citing Ryan’s background in special education, MTSS strategies and a recent DESE grant for social-emotional learning. Dr. Horak said she favored Melissa Ryan.
Other committee members emphasized leadership style and relationships. A committee member who said the district needed a “culture builder” and praised work at Hollis said that perspective led them to support Tim McDonald. The committee member who introduced the motion and the member who seconded it were not named on the record.
At roll call, Mr. Fogarty voted no; Mr. Rollo, Mary Joyce, Mr. Lynch and the committee chair voted yes; Dr. Horak, and Ms. Tufti voted no. The chair announced, “It is 4 to 3. Mr. McDonald will be our next superintendent.”
The committee noted that one earlier applicant, Robert Ferretta, had withdrawn from consideration before the vote. Members also described the screening process: the search committee screened an initial applicant pool, interviewed seven candidates, and advanced three finalists who participated in forums and interviews.
Following the vote, the committee said it would enter into contract negotiations and consult MASC on next steps; no contract terms or effective start date were provided at the meeting.
The decision closes the committee’s advertised agenda item to appoint a superintendent; committee members and staff will handle subsequent negotiations and public communication about the transition.
