School Committee names finalists for superintendent

May 6, 2013

The School Committee has named three finalists for the superintendent's position.

The candidates are: Dr. Elise Frangos, assistant superintendent curriculum, instruction, and assessment for the Old Rochester Regional School District; Dr. Anthony Pope, an educational consultant and former superintendent of Marlborough Public Schools; Kimberly Shaver-Hood, superintendent of the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District, located in Blackstone, Mass., on the Rhode Island border.

The finalists were chosen during a meeting on Saturday, May 4, which was held in executive session. The School Committee has postponed its final interviews with the candidates, which were scheduled for Monday, May 6.

School Committee Chair Rhonda Veugen said she wanted to give the members more time to consider the finalists, and possibly visit the candidates' districts, before the last interviews. A new date has not yet been set.

The semi-finalists were interviewed by the School Committee and an interview committee comprised of parents, Wareham Public Schools staff, community and business leaders, the town administrator, and representatives of the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee.

"It was one of the most amazing groups," Veugen said in thanking the interview committee for its work. "They were passionate about Wareham."

Superintendent Dr. Barry Rabinovitch, who has held the post for nearly four years, announced his retirement in December, saying that he perceived his annual evaluation, completed by the School Committee last fall, to be an "injustice." His retirement is effective July 31.