5 candidates in running for Easthampton interim superintendent to meet public next week

By EMILY THURLOW

Staff Writer

Published: 05-18-2023 9:44 AM

EASTHAMPTON — The School Committee has scheduled meet-and-greet sessions for the community to meet the five interim superintendent candidates next week.

The committee agreed last week to offer interviews to external candidates Roland R. Joyal Jr., executive director of Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative in West Springfield; Maureen F. Binienda, interim superintendent at Quaboag Regional School District; Marlene A. DiLeo, superintendent at Ware Public Schools; and Mary Jane Rickson, principal of Murdock High School in Winchendon.

On Tuesday, the committee agreed to offer a fifth candidate an interview: Sarah Mochak. As the only internal candidate, Mochak is currently the district’s director of special education.

“I would like to see Sarah be considered as a candidate out of respect for her knowledge of the district as well as her experience,” Mayor Nicole LaChapelle said.

The schedule for the meet and greets are as follows: Binienda on Monday, May 22; Rickson on Tuesday, May 23; Joyal on Wednesday, May 24; and DiLeo on Thursday, May 25. Mochak’s meet and greet schedule was not available as of presstime.

The sessions are open to the public and will take place at the high school’s Café Commons at 70 Williston Ave. from 5 to 5:45 p.m.

Interviews have been tentatively scheduled to take place June 3-5, with a possible decision on Monday, June 12.

Also Tuesday, the committee discussed the questions they would ask candidates. Chairperson Cynthia Kwiecinski reminded committee members that by the time the interviews take place, the committee will have two additional members.

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The City Council and School Committee will jointly decide who will replace the two School Committee seats vacated by Shannon Dunham and Laurie Garcia, who resigned in the wake of the failed superintendent search.

This Thursday, the two government bodies will interview the 10 candidates who expressed an interest in serving a partial term until Dec. 31.

The candidates include Sean Bates, Heather Brophy, Sarah Hunter, Catherine Wauczinski, Laura Scott, Timothy St. John, Albert Sanchez, Lynda Broadhurst and Louise Jacob.

Each candidate will have five minutes to speak.

The meeting will be both i -person at 50 Payson Ave. and virtually at 7:15 p.m.

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