Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Interim Superintendent Search topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Middleborough school committee invites four finalists to interview for interim superintendent
Summary
After reviewing a community survey and nine applications, the Middleborough School Committee voted unanimously May 28 to invite four finalists—Eric Chaffy, Tracy Curley, David Cutler and David Thompson—to interview June 3. The committee emphasized stability, communication and fiscal responsibility as top priorities.
The Middleborough School Committee voted unanimously May 28 to invite four finalists to interview for the district’s interim superintendent job, setting interviews for June 3 at Nicholls Middle School.
The committee, reviewing 270 responses to a ParentSquare community survey, said it will use the survey’s top priorities — school safety and climate; communication and transparency; leadership and staff support; budget and resources; and stability during transition — to shape its interview questions. The committee received nine applications and, after discussion, moved individually to advance Eric Chaffy, Tracy Curley, David Cutler and David Thompson to the interview stage.
"If that's what you're focusing on, looking for your interim, then you are absolutely on the right track," said Sean Costello, field director for the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, who advised the panel on the search process and recommended three finalists as a typical approach but said four could be acceptable. Costello also cautioned that hiring a retired superintendent may require a one‑year critical‑shortage waiver from the state department.
Committee members said they weighed different priorities when forming their short lists: HR and personnel management experience, local ties, curriculum leadership, fiscal experience and prior superintendent background. Several members emphasized wanting a candidate who could provide immediate stability while preserving the option to consider a permanent hire later.
The committee approved separate motions to invite each finalist; each motion passed unanimously. The committee agreed on four one‑hour interview slots — the meeting materials and consultant recommended 10 consistent questions per candidate — and will finalize the question set ahead of the June 3 public meeting. The chair and consultant will notify candidates of their assigned times.
The committee also discussed the logistics of interviewing four finalists: members were advised to keep questions consistent across candidates, limit the number of questions to keep each interview to roughly an hour, and prepare to deliberate publicly after the interviews in accordance with open‑meeting guidance. No hiring decision was made at the May 28 meeting; the June 3 meeting will include public interviews and a public vote if the committee chooses to take action.
