Panel formed to find new BMR superintendent
BLACKSTONE – An 11-member preliminary screening committee has been appointed by the Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee to review applications and recommend finalist candidates for the soon-to-be-open school superintendent position.
Screening Committee members include:
• Tammy Lemieux, Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee (Blackstone)
• Sarah E. Williams, Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee (Blackstone)
• Jane C. Reggio, Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee (Millville)
• Caryn Vernon, Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee (Millville)
• Carol Brown, principal of the John F. Kennedy/Augustine F. Maloney Elementary School Complex.
• William T. Walsh, Blackstone town official
• Richard V. Crivello, Millville town official
• Esther Cote, teacher
• Julianne Wolford, teacher.
• Richard Stearman, Millville resident
• Bethany Dunton, Blackstone resident.
Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committeewoman Erin P. Vinacco will facilitate the committee. The district is conducting the search process in-house with technical assistance from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.
A review of applications will begin on Jan. 8 with interviews scheduled the week of Jan. 15. A list of finalists will be forwarded and reviewed by the School Committee during an open public meeting the week of Feb. 22.
The Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee is currently advertising position, which comes with an annual salary of between $150,000 and $165,000.
Applications will be accepted until Jan. 3, and the position will become available July 1.
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 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 long-range and strategic planning goals as well as developing datadriven 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 interest-based 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 $150,000165,000, 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.
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.