Blackstone-Millville committee fails to begin negotiations with finalist; votes to post for one-year interim superintendent

The Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee failed to approve entering contract negotiations with finalist Dr. Paul Paul Hawi and instead voted to end the permanent search and post for a one-year interim superintendent.

The motion to begin negotiations with Dr. Hawi — moved and seconded and taken by roll call — tied 4–4 and did not pass. After the failed motion, the committee discussed legal and operational limits tied to the district’s timeline and a consultant from MASC urged the group to secure leadership ahead of July 1. "I think June 30th, actually," the consultant said when committee members asked whether the district would be without a superintendent in early July, underscoring the urgency of the next steps.

Why it matters: Committee members and public commenters repeatedly stressed competing priorities for the next superintendent: fiscal and facilities experience to shepherd a large MSBA high-school building project, and instructional leadership to sustain recent academic gains. Public speakers urged careful review of candidates. "We need someone who will be visible, student centered, and committed to accountability," said Jenny Chan Rama, a middle school principal who addressed the committee during the public forum.

What the committee decided: After additional deliberation the committee approved a motion to "scuttle" the permanent search and post immediately for an interim, one-year superintendent position. The committee discussed a short application window to meet timing constraints and agreed to close the posting quickly; the chair said the posting could appear the next day. The committee scheduled a special meeting for June 24 at 7:00 p.m. to review interim applications.

Votes and procedure: The first motion — to negotiate with Dr. Hawi — failed on a 4–4 roll call vote. The subsequent motion to stop the permanent search and post for an interim passed (voice/roll vote), and the committee directed staff to post the interim vacancy and bring applications for public review at the June 24 meeting.

What to watch: The committee faces a narrow window before July 1 to either appoint an acting licensed staff member, extend the current interim's contract, or hire an interim who does not require a pension waiver. Consultant Tracy Novik warned that retirees who would need a waiver require a longer posting and approval process, limiting the pool of immediate hires. The committee also signaled it may reopen a full permanent search at a later, more typical posting season.

Public input: Three community members spoke during the public forum. Ed Casting, who identified himself as a Blackstone selectman, praised the district and urged the committee to value existing strengths. A parent who attended multiple candidate events questioned whether the committee should rush a decision and raised concerns about retention in a candidate’s prior district. Kristen Foody, a Milville selectman, told the board leadership "is top down" and urged the committee to seek demonstrated results.

Next steps: The committee will post the interim superintendent vacancy immediately, collect applications, and meet June 24 to review material and deliberate in public. The posting is expected to be short to allow appointment before July 1; committee members and the consultant noted that hiring decisions that require pension waivers will be more complicated and may be excluded from this immediate hiring round.

The committee adjourned following the scheduling motion and direction to post for an interim superintendent.