Superintendent James Montepare submitted his letter of retirement on Tuesday. He has worked in the public schools for 41 years.
The new School Committee with student representative Amanda Michaels, left (in pink) Karen Bond, Mark Moulton, John Hockridge, Mayor Richard Alcombright, Tara Jacobs, Nicholas Fahey and Heather Boulger (center).
MASC Field Director Patricia Correira lays out the timeline for hiring a new superintendent.
Montepare speaks with his assistant, Ellen Sutherland.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Superintendent of Schools James Montepare will retire at the end of March after more than 40 years in the school district and a dozen as superintendent.
School officials are planning an aggressive search for his replacement with hopes to have someone starting July 1.
"It's a great place to work," Montepare told the School Committee at Tuesday's meeting. "I've loved every single moment. It's really hard to leave but sometimes it's time."
He later said that the completion of Colegrove Park Elementary School had influenced his timing. "I wanted to make sure it was done," he said.
Mayor Richard Alcombright described his departure as a bittersweet moment.
"At some level, we expected it and at some level, we never wanted to see it come," he said.
School Committee Mark Moulton noted the effective retirement date of April 1.
"It's not an April Fool's joke is it?" he asked, adding "there's no one in this district that loved this district more than you do. ... I do appreciate what you do."
Montepare began as a special education teacher in North Adams in March 1975. He became coordinator of pupil services in 1979 and administrator of special education in 1996, a post he continued to fill after being named assistant superintendent in 1998. He was named superintendent in 2003 following the resignation of then Superintendent of Joseph Rogge.
His assistant, Ellen Sutherland, read from his first evaluation in 1976:
"This young man by nature and by attitude seems suited for the work he performs, he is an excellent teacher, plans well and who shows affection and concern for the students under his care."
"You couldn't find a better fellow and a better administrator," said the mayor. "It's a bittersweet moment to accept your letter and move forward."
Moving forward begins immediately with the committee's adoption of a search plan presented by Patricia Correira, field director with the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. School Committee John Hockridge abstained because of his position a MASC board member.
The committee more reluctantly accepted Montepare's letter of retirement. Alcombright said an interim superintendent, possibly Montepare if he was willing, would fill the post from April on.
Correira had already had discussions with the mayor and superintendent about the process for the search. MASC could do all the work to come up with finalists for about $12,000 but she recommended the city doing its own search and leaning on MASC technical support.
"The timeline is quick, it starts tonight and the appointment of a new superintendent should start March 27," she said.
Alcombright noted that the field of potential superintendents is small and tightly knit, so getting the word out about an opening should not be difficult. Correira agreed, saying MASC has already received inquiries about the North Adams position.
She recommended some free and low-cost advertising alternatives, such as the city using its online presence, MASC and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.
Links to a brief survey developed by MASC will be posted on the city's and the school district's Web pages so the community can weigh in on what it wants in the superintendent. A search committee comprised of two community members, two parents, a school administrator, a representative from the support staff, a teacher, a member of the City Council and representative from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will be appointed next week.
Correira will provide training for the search committee so it understands its role and its legal responsibilities. Her advice, which the committee agreed to, was to allow MASC to do the initial weeding of applicants in late February both to streamline the process and provide confidentiality. She reminded the committee that the search panel would have to abide by open meeting laws.
She also cautioned the committee not to limits its parameters too much; the successful candidate should have an understanding of and ideas for the district's challenges but also have a good grasp of state and federal regulations.
"The pool of candidates is very shallow ... 15 years ago, we would get 50 applicants, now if we get 10 [qualified candidates] I'm dancing on the table," Correira said.
Vice Chairwoman Heather Boulger, who was again elected to that position, asked what "Plan B" was should a superintendent not be found. Correira said the city would have to readvertise the job.
She anticipated sending semi-finalist names to the search committee to begin interviews by Feb. 29, with the committee recommending three to five finalists by March 7. School site visits and interviews will occur in early March with the finalists visiting the city for tours and final interviews in late March.
"I think the superintendent's position is the most important position in that community," said the former Springfield School Committee member. "He is in charge of everybody's children and their education."
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