MARLBOROUGH — It’s back to the drawing board for the Marlborough School Committee in its search for a new superintendent of schools.
The School Committee voted unanimously during its March 11 meeting to not offer the job to either of the two finalists selected by a search committee, instead choosing to conduct a second search to find a replacement for the retiring Mary Murphy.
“I have to say to a degree of disappointment, I struggled with making a decision for either and left me more with a decision of neither,” said committee member Heidi Matthews during the meeting. “Unfortunately, I don’t feel like either candidate is a fit for Marlborough.”
A search committee put forward two finalists — David Ljungberg, assistant superintendent of schools in Stoneham, and David Thomson, interim superintendent of schools in Mashpee — and the School Committee interviewed them on March 5.
But during their March 11 meeting, committee members said that although they believe both men would make good superintendents, they did not see them fitting in Marlborough.
Committee members seek candidate experienced with diversity
Committee member Katherine Hennessey spoke of the district’s diversity. She said 33% of students in Marlborough are English-language learners, 57% are of Hispanic or Latino origin and 58% of students are from low-income families.
She said Marlborough Public Schools needs a superintendent who has more experience with such a diverse community.
“Neither candidate is the right candidate to move forward for a vote tonight,” Hennessey said during the March 11 meeting. “We need a leader with more experience working with a more diverse population and in an urban district setting.”
Committee member Michelle Bodin-Hettinger added that she felt neither candidate brings “the skill set needed to keep us moving in the right direction.”
Committee member Daniel Caruso said a new job description will have to be refined to emphasize the qualities the committee is looking for.
Committee votes to explore contracting search for superintendent
Mayor J. Christian Dumais, who chairs the School Committee, said he had come to the meeting prepared to vote for a candidate, whom he did not name, but did not oppose not offering the job.
“It’s going to be a challenge recruiting (a new superintendent),” he said. “We need to do this right, and I hope to find someone sooner rather than later.”
Hennessey suggested using a company to conduct a search, rather than just an in-house search committee. She said there would be a cost involved, about $10,000 to $15,000, but it would lead to a wider range of candidates who may fit their criteria.
The committee voted to reach out to several companies to inquire about hiring one to conduct the search.
Murphy, who has been superintendent since 2022, will remain superintendent until June 30.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or [email protected]. For up-to-date news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.