Carbone accepts Salem's assistant superintendent position

By Ryan Mooney, Globe Correspondent

Mary Kate Carbone, a Beverly resident and currently the chief academic officer at the Triton Regional School District, has accepted a three-year contract to become the new assistant superintendent of Salem schools, according to Superintendent Stephen Russell.

The contract, which was offered to Carbone by the School Committee on Tuesday night, will pay her no more than $110,000 this fiscal year, $147,500 next year, and $150,000 in the third year.

The first year is pro-rated based on $145,000 for the fiscal year, meaning that if she begins in October as anticipated, during the current fiscal year that began on July 1, she would receive $110,000, and the city will pay less if the deal takes effect later.

"I'm very appreciative of the school committee's support for this important appointment and I look forward to have Ms. Carbone join our team," Russell said in an email. "I believe that her experience and proven record of accomplishment will be very helpful as we continue the important work of improving the Salem Schools."

Russell says that officials are working to finalize the contract, as well as plans to transfer Carbone out of her current position at Triton, a tri-town district made up of Newbury, Rowley, and Salisbury.

Carbone has prior experience working with Salem's most under-performing school, Bentley Elementary, as a mentor to Principal Renata McFarland. As part of the turnaround effort at the Level 4 school, Russell was required by state officials to bring in a mentor to work with McFarland, and the Department of Education recommended Carbone.

Her career in education spans more than two decades, including stints as a middle and high school principal in Providence and more than four years working for the Massachusetts Department of Education.

Ryan Mooney can be reached at globe.mooney@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @mooney_ryan.