Holliston committee interviews superintendent finalist who stresses collaboration, equity and pragmatic budgeting

A superintendent finalist told the Holliston School Committee on Jan. 28 that he would prioritize collaboration, transparent communication and student-centered programs while navigating budget trade-offs and helping plan a potential replacement of the town’s 56‑year‑old high school.

The candidate, who has 26 years in education as a teacher, athletic director, principal and superintendent in a smaller district, emphasized empowering building leaders, involving students in real decision-making and strengthening equity and social-emotional work. He described specific practices from his district — universal SEL screeners funded by grant support, partnerships with behavioral-health providers, use of Panorama surveys and the Second Step K–12 curriculum, “Handle with Care” police notifications for students and periodic therapy-dog visits — as examples of how he measures and supports school climate. “The answer is always in the room,” he said, describing a collaborative approach to problem-solving.

Why it matters: The…