Superintendent Stella updated the School Committee on Jan. 9 about the search for a new director of teaching and learning, saying eight candidates completed the first round of interviews and three have moved forward to second-round interviews.

Stella told the committee the candidates indicated a preferred start date of July 1, which the district views as problematic. “My question is gonna be can't you come on board in May? I mean, I know people have a 90 day clause in their contracts and I I'm concerned that these candidates start July 1 when everybody's on vacation in July. They're not gonna know anybody,” she said, urging an earlier onboarding window to allow for an entry plan and meetings with principals and staff.

The superintendent also said a review of the departing director’s responsibilities showed the position’s documented duties expanded from nine pages to 14 pages. “We can't possibly keep all of Doctor Bacon's responsibilities up to the standard that she had them at,” Stella said, adding the district will concentrate on family engagement, the mentor program and professional development while redistributing other tasks to principals and central staff.

Stella said the district is coordinating second-round interviews and will press candidates for as-early-as-possible start dates, ideally by May. She asked principals to take on selected responsibilities in the interim and said the district will continue to “do the best” until a permanent director is hired.

Committee members asked about curriculum review and other initiatives; Stella said budget requests made by Dr. Bacon were preserved in the FY26 submittal and that curriculum work remains underway.