Public urges broad community input as board sets superintendent‑search timeline

A member of the public and several board members discussed how the district will gather community priorities for the upcoming superintendent search as the board formalized a timeline for recruitment.

Lee Peak of South Berwick told the board: "I would encourage you to think about how what by what process will you understand the community's priorities regarding this hire?" He recommended proactive steps including allowing the public to submit questions for candidates, including vocational‑education representation on advisory panels, and holding public job talks so community members could meet finalists.

The board’s chair summarized the agreed schedule after two workshops on the search: the district intends to post the job in early January, set a mid‑March application deadline, screen applications as they arrive, conduct interviews in the two weeks of late March, and aim for an early‑April offer with a July 1 start date for the successful candidate. The board will fulfill its statutory role as the principal hiring committee and establish an advisory committee of building principals, teachers (three from elementary, middle and high school), central‑office leaders, a mix of QEA and non‑QEA teachers, and an administrative assistant to conduct separate candidate interviews and advise the board.

Board members also discussed plans for a community meet‑and‑greet tied to the public comment request, offering an additional forum for residents to engage with candidates and provide input. The board did not vote on the search timeline at the meeting; the discussion established the process and next steps for public engagement and candidate screening.

The public comment and board discussion emphasized transparency in the hiring process and multiple channels for community input, but no formal motion to alter statutory hiring responsibilities was made during the meeting.