BMR School Committee puts up help wanted sign for new superintendent

BLACKSTONE — The Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee has begun advertising for the soon-to-be-open school superintendent position, which comes with an annual salary of between $150,000 and $165,000.

The job posting went live on the School Department's web page last week.

Applications will be accepted until Jan. 3, and the position will become available July 1. A review of applications will begin on Jan. 8 with interviews scheduled shortly thereafter.

School Supt. Allen W. Himmelberger, the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District’s school chief for the past four years, is retiring effective Sept. 1, 2018. The District School Committee is conducting the search inhouse and is hoping to hire a new school chief by March 1.

According to the advertisement created by the board, the district is looking for an “innovative leader who has experience developing longrange and strategic planning goals as well as developing data-driven goals and implementing curriculum focused initiatives to increase student achievement.”

The ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate fiscal management skills and lead the district through the process of integrating technology to support instruction.

“In addition, the candidate should be prepared to oversee several infrastructure projects in various planning stages,” the advertisement states. “The successful candidate will work closely with a dedicated staff and an involved community to maintain and foster a safe, healthy and intellectually stimulating learning environment. Developing positive relationships and maintaining open-communication with community members is imperative to the future of our district.”

The committee is looking for an applicant who has a minimum of five years of administrative experience as well as experience teaching in a kindergarten through Grade 12 school system. Prospective candidates must have at least a master's degree as well as a valid license issued by the State Board of Education.

Preferred qualifications include a doctorate degree, central office experience and three to five years of teaching experience.

The district’s ideal candidate has:

A deep understanding of Massachusetts regional school district finance and business operations.

An ability to successfully oversee the continued implementation of the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks based on the Common Core Learning Standards, the Massachusetts Educator Evaluation Program, technology integration, successful special education programs, standards-aligned formative assessment and data-driven decision making.

An understanding of, and proven success dealing with, issues relating to interestbased bargaining and developing partnerships to provide a 21st Century education for students.

The committee says it is prepared to offer a multi-year contract with a salary in the range of $150,000-165,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications, and a competitive benefits package.

The Blackstone-Millville Regional School District serves 1,747 students, has a 131-member teaching staff and is overseen by an elected eight-member School Committee, with four members from each town. The district is comprised of five schools: the Blackstone-Millville Regional High School, the Frederick W. Hartnett Middle School, the Millville Elementary School, the John F. Kennedy Elementary School, and the Augustine F. Maloney Elementary School.

The fiscal 2018 school district budget is $22,458,471.

Meanwhile, the School Committee is reaching out to parents, teachers and students through an online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/G YV5BPD to solicit input on what qualifications they would like to see in a new superintendent.

The committee will tabulate the results of the survey, which closes Friday, Dec. 15.

The committee is also reaching out to the school community and community at large in both Blackstone and Millville for members to sit on a preliminary screening committee. The committee would include residents from the district towns, teachers and members of the School Committee.

Preliminary interviews of candidates will be held the week of Jan. 15 and a list of finalists will be forwarded and reviewed by the School Committee during an open, public meeting the week of Feb. 22.

Himmelberger was hired as BMR school superintendent in 2014. Before coming to Blackstone, Himmelberger of Medway was superintendent in Oxford. Before that, he was the district's assistant superintendent and business manager. He began his career in education as a permanent substitute teacher for Franklin Public Schools.

Himmelberger replaced Perry Davis, who was appointed interim BMR superintendent when former School Supt. Kimberly Shaver-Hood resigned to become the superintendent of schools in Wareham, Mass.

Last year, Assistant School Superintendent Dr. David L. Thomson left the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District year to become the next superintendent of the Norwood Public School District.