Scituate School Committee appoints Tom Rob as interim superintendent; enters executive session on personnel

The Scituate School Committee voted Sept. 16 to appoint Tom Rob, the district—s director of business and finance, as interim superintendent effective Sept. 17 through the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

The committee—s Chair opened the meeting and read a civility statement; the Chair said the current superintendent is retiring and will take a planned medical leave that prompted tonight—s interim appointment. "We will then begin a search in the coming months for a more permanent superintendent," the Chair said during the meeting.

Committee members discussed two internal candidates: Ryan, identified as the assistant superintendent, and Tom Rob. Members who favored Rob cited the need to keep momentum on curriculum work that Ryan has led and the district—s large, time-sensitive building projects that Rob has helped oversee. One member said Rob—s finance and operations duties may be easier to backfill on a short-term basis, while Ryan—s curriculum work was described as "fragile." Another member stressed the interim role—s operational demands and asked that compensation be discussed.

A School Committee member moved "that we approve Tom Rob as the interim," and another member seconded the motion. The Chair called for a voice vote; members voiced their assent and the motion passed. The transcript records the decision as a voice vote with the Chair stating "all in favor"; no roll-call tally was provided.

After the appointment, a member moved that the committee exit open session to enter executive session for "reason number 2," described in the meeting as "to conduct strategy session in preparation for negotiations for nonunion personnel." The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Committee members discussed the timing of a permanent hire: the committee expects to begin the formal hiring process this winter, with listening sessions and application rounds, aiming to complete hiring by March or April so a new contract could begin July 1. The interim appointment is intended to ensure continuity while that search proceeds.

The meeting included routine updates (one member noted the boys golf team was 7-0) and no public commenters were recorded. The committee adjourned open session and moved into executive session on personnel negotiations.