Published: 5/9/2018 11:17:53 PM
WESTHAMPTON — Aaron Osborne has been named the new superintendent for the Hampshire Regional School District, a week after the top choice for the position withdrew from consideration.
Osborne, the business manager for Palmer Public Schools, signed an employment contract Tuesday afternoon, according to the search committee.
Osborne was one of two finalists selected by a 19-person search committee representing a cross section of community stakeholders.
The other finalist, Judy Rush, the director of curriculum and instruction for Pittsfield Public Schools, was originally selected for the job by the committee but withdrew her name from consideration for personal reasons during contract negotiations.
The school committees of Chesterfield-Goshen, Union 66 of Southampton, Westhampton and Williamsburg and Hampshire Regional High School met and voted to approve Osborne for the position a week after Rush withdrew.
“We are confident that he will embrace his responsibilities and work very hard for our schools,” a letter from members of the search committee stated about Osborne’s selection.
The Hampshire Regional School District engaged in a monthslong search for a new superintendent to replace Craig Jurgensen, who will leave the position July 1.
“We are beginning a new chapter in the Hampshire Regional school district, full of challenges and accomplishments,” the letter stated. “We will all do our best work if we communicate our concerns to each other and celebrate our successes together.”
Osborne will officially begin on July 1, but according to the search committee, plans to start attending meetings and meeting teachers and staff right away.