The all-Island school committee has named two finalists in a search for a new superintendent for the Vineyard public schools.
The finalists, assistant superintendent Matthew D'Andrea and Oak Bluffs School principal Richard Smith, will participate in public interviews this week, current superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss told the Gazette.
The committee voted Jan. 6 to name the two finalists, and will invite Mr. D’Andrea for an interview on Jan. 14, and Mr. Smith on Jan. 15, both at 5 p.m. at the library conference room of the regional high school.
The all-Island school committee will make its final decision on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at the library conference room.
Unlike the majority of the 18 applicants, who hailed from other school districts in New England and even Iowa and Kansas, Mr. Smith and Mr. D’Andrea are local educators.
Mr. Smith has served as the Oak Bluffs principal since 2011. Before that, he was principal for nine years at the Tisbury School.
Mr. D’Andrea was hired as assistant superintendent in August of 2013. He also served as interim high school principal following Stephen Nixon’s resignation in April. Before he moved to the Vineyard, Mr. D’Andrea worked as an elementary school principal in Mattapoisett.
“I think they are two good candidates,” said Mr. Weiss, who was not part of the search committee. “Very different with very different experiences, but both good candidates.”
After nearly a decade as schools superintendent, Mr. Weiss submitted an official letter of resignation in September, although his plans have been widely known since last year. He retires June 30.
The search commenced in earnest in November, when the position was advertised. The initial pool of 18 candidates was quickly narrowed to five, Mr. Weiss said.
The search began with a series of focus groups and an online survey which garnered widespread participation. A search committee formed of 11 school district stakeholders interviewed the five candidates before the holiday break. Following those interviews, three candidates moved forward, but one has since dropped out. Mr. Weiss declined to publicize that name.
The search is wrapping up sooner than anticipated, which will allow more time for a leadership transition, Mr. Weiss said.
It will also allow more time for the district to fill the position vacated by the successful candidate.
“There are huge benefits,” Mr. Weiss said. “Either one of those people will have to be replaced, and that will give us time to do that.”
Susan Mercier served as chairman of the search committee, and the Massachusetts Association of School Committees aided in the search.
Speaking to the Gazette Wednesday morning, Mrs. Mercier said she was pleased with the finalists.“I am thrilled that we have two Island candidates,” she said. “I think it really speaks to the system that we have here, that we have people who are just amazing across the Island.”
She said helping to choose a new leader for the school system is the most important thing she has ever done on the school committee.
“So many things are coming down the pike and we really need someone who can look forward and figure out where we want to be,” she said.
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