School superintendents moving up, over
For Newburyport’s school system, today marks a changing of the guard, as Marc Kerble takes over as its new superintendent.
The city is hardly alone in experiencing a transition to new leadership. In a striking time of turnover, new superintendents will be taking the helm of at least 13 area school districts with this month’s start of the new fiscal year. One other began work June 1, and two others earlier in the school year.
And two districts recently appointed interim superintendents while they search for permanent replacements.
Statewide, about 45 school districts have appointed or are in the process of appointing school superintendents this year, according to Paul Andrews, with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.
“It all comes down to the nature of the position,’’ said Andrews, a retired Woburn school superintendent. “I’ve often said it’s three jobs — a daytime job, a nighttime job, and a weekend position. Plus the demands on superintendents have become huge, especially in finance.’’
However, the incoming superintendents say they look forward to the challenges.
Kerble, Winchester’s assistant superintendent for the past nine years, said he is “very very excited’’ about his new job.
“My wife and I love Newburyport,’’ he said. “We go there all the time. . . . It’s a very tight-knit community. So it’s a perfect spot for me personally.’’
Gloucester’s superintendent, Christopher Farmer, is set to become the top administrator for the Triton Regional School District. Kathleen M. Willis, assistant superintendent for Triton, is taking over as North Reading’s superintendent. And Darrell Lockwood, Tyngsborough’s school chief, will assume the role for the Masconomet Regional School District.
The superintendent for the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District, Marinel McGrath, is leaving to take the reins in Andover. Raleigh Buchanan is leaving his post as Haverhill’s superintendent to replace McGrath in Hamilton-Wenham. Pamela Beaudoin, director of curriculum and technology for the North Reading public schools, will take over as the Manchester Essex Regional district’s superintendent.
Don Ciampa, moving from his role as Tyngsborough High principal to the system’s superintendent, is one of three new school chiefs hired from within their district. The others are Marie E. Galinski, going from assistant superintendent to superintendent in Beverly, and Mary Jo Santoro, taking the same path at Greater Lowell Technical High.
