EASTHAMPTON — Maureen F. Binienda will take the helm as the interim superintendent of the city’s schools starting Saturday after she signed a one-year contract late last week that will pay her $157,000.

The School Committee’s decision to hire a temporary leader follows several tumultuous months this spring, which included the resignation of two School Committee members, in the failed permanent superintendent search.

In a statement from the mayor’s office, the School Committee stated that they were confident that Binienda will guide the district with “wisdom, compassion and dedication” during this interim period. The committee also thanked the community for its input throughout the entire search process.

During the coming year, Binienda will collaborate with administrators, staff, students and residents to “build upon the district’s accomplishments and address the evolving needs” at Easthampton schools.

“She will focus on nurturing a supportive, inclusive learning environment and promoting meaningful partnerships with families and students,” the statement read.

As part of her contract, signed by School Committee Chairperson Cynthia Kwiecinski, Binienda is entitled to 26 vacation days, 18 sick days and five personal days. The contract also includes a $6,000 stipend for travel reimbursement.

She did not respond to a message Tuesday requesting comment.

Binienda, who holds master’s degrees in education from Harvard University and Fitchburg State College, is currently finishing a one-year stint as the interim superintendent of The Quaboag Regional School District, which includes elementary schools in the Worcester County towns of Warren and West Brookfield as well as a middle and high school in Warren. Her term with that district ends Friday and officially begins in Easthampton on July 1.

Prior to Quaboag, Binienda worked in Worcester Public Schools for more than four decades, the last six as superintendent. In that role overseeing the state’s second-largest city, she managed a $417 million budget and says she provided a “safe learning environment” for 24,000 students and 5,000 staff, according to her resume packet to the School Committee.

Binienda was one of three candidates the School Committee interviewed. The others included Roland R. Joyal Jr., executive director of Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative in West Springfield, and Marlene A. DiLeo, superintendent at Ware Public Schools. Two other candidates — Mary Jane Rickson, principal of Murdock High School in Winchendon, and Sarah Mochak, Easthampton’s director of special education — withdrew their applications prior to being interviewed.

Binienda replaces outgoing Superintendent Allison LeClair, who is retiring after five years with the Easthampton School District.

Among her top accomplishments, LeClair said in a previous report that she was most proud of the design and construction of the new $109 million Mountain View School — which houses pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students and consolidated the three former elementary schools, Maple, Center and Pepin, with the now demolished White Brook Middle School — amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The search for a permanent superintendent will begin again in the coming fall/winter months.

Emily Thurlow can be reached at ethurlow@gazettenet.com.]]>