Middleborough School Committee offers interim superintendent role to Dr. David Thompson after public interviews

The Middleborough School Committee voted to offer Dr. David Thompson the interim superintendent job following public interviews with four finalists and a period of committee deliberation. The offer is contingent on successful contract negotiations and a standard reference check.

Committee members said they were looking for an interim who could provide stability, help launch a new elementary ELA curriculum this fall and work with town leaders on the district’s structural budget challenges. After the public question-and-answer sessions, the panel discussed finalists’ strengths and moved to advance Dr. Thompson’s candidacy.

In the interviews Dr. Thompson described having served in both interim and permanent superintendent roles in Massachusetts districts and said he would begin with an entry process that prioritizes visibility, listening and a rapid set of stakeholder meetings. He told the committee he typically begins with an assessment of the district’s strategic plan and meeting school leaders, staff and community partners to triangulate priorities and supports. He emphasized maintaining momentum on curriculum implementation and on special-education inclusion while addressing fiscal constraints.

Another finalist, David Cutler, emphasized operational and revenue strategies, including running self-sustaining in‑district programs and pursuing partnerships to reduce out‑of‑district tuition and transportation costs. Cutler told the committee, “If you don’t control the narrative, the narrative will control you,” and urged proactive community communications and creative enterprise models to offset budget shortfalls. Committee members noted Cutler’s practical ideas but favored Dr. Thompson’s mix of interim and long‑term district leadership experience for the role.

Committee members also pressed finalists on special education, citing a district graduation-rate gap discussed during interviews and the rising cost of out‑of‑district placements. Candidates proposed strengthening in‑district services, investing in teacher coaching and co‑teaching models, and recruiting earlier for hard‑to‑fill leadership roles such as director of special education.

The motion to offer Dr. Thompson the interim position was made, seconded and approved by the committee; the chair said the appointment is subject to the usual negotiation and reference checks. The committee’s stated next steps are to complete those checks, finalize contract terms and announce a start date. The committee adjourned the special meeting after completing deliberations.

Why it matters: The interim superintendent will be asked to provide day‑to‑day leadership while the district implements a common elementary ELA curriculum this fall, finishes several personnel searches, and continues work with the town to address a structural budget gap. The committee signaled that transparent communication, strong school‑level leadership support and attention to special education outcomes will be immediate priorities.

What’s next: The district will notify the chosen candidate and complete contract negotiations and reference checks; the committee said it will announce a start date after those items are complete.