L-S moves forward on superintendent search
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Sudbury Regional High School Committee is moving forward with its search to find a replacement for Principal/Superintendent Dr. John Ritchie, despite the recommendations of the Budget Review Task Force (BRTF) that L-S and Sudbury Public Schools operate under one superintendent.
“I think there is some concern that L-S has a search under way for replacement of Dr. Ritchie and there is some concern that if that isn’t put on hold while this idea is researched, that the hiring of a replacement with a contract could make it difficult to implement the proposals,” said Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Woodard.
But L-S School Committee Chairwoman Patricia Mostue said if there were to be a consolidation, it couldn’t happen for at least a year.
“It couldn’t be this year. Meanwhile, teachers need a leader,” she said. “Our charge as a school committee is to hire and evaluate the superintendent and establish policy.”
In December, the BRTF presented a series of recommendations intended to achieve economies of scale resulting in significant cost savings to Sudbury. Chief among the recommendations, at a cost savings of $1 million, was the consolidation of the administration of L-S and Sudbury into a Superintendency Union. The merger would result in the need for fewer administrative personnel, including the elimination of one housemaster at L-S as well as other consolidation strategies.
“Originally the intent (of the Budget Review Task Force) was to present ideas worth pursuing,” Mostue said. “It happens now that they are making recommendations. I believe they are untenable assumptions with mass errors that are not anywhere what they propose.”
The Finance Committee said the BRTF report was well researched and thoroughly prepared and voted unanimously to recommend the two school committees take a very serious look at the idea as soon as possible,” said Woodard. “It was clear from the December 15 meeting that both selectman and FinCom thought the ideas were worth pursuing. It could save $1 million a year. In the context of the current concerns about budget shortfalls, it’s a meaningful number.”
Dr. John Brackett, superintendent of Sudbury Public Schools, said if it’s going to be possible, it’s going to have a very serious look at it from a number of different aspects – including legal, financial and educational.
“What does it do to education and the political aspects of Lincoln and Sudbury and the regional school district?” Brackett asked. “A lot of questions need to be examined. On the surface, I think it’s a good question to ask and one that merits consideration going forward.”
Larry O’Brien, Board of Selectmen chairman suggested the L-S School Committee slow down its process to hire a replacement for Dr. Ritchie while the BRTF recommendations are being considered.
“Perhaps hiring an interim superintendent might be the best short-term decision while the long-term options are being assessed,” he said.