Published: 3/28/2018 5:49:14 PM
EASTHAMPTON — The search for Easthampton’s next superintendent of schools is down to two finalists — Andrew Berrios, principal of Smith Academy in Hatfield, and Allison LeClair, assistant superintendent of Agawam public schools.
Next Tuesday and Wednesday, April 3 and 4, Berrios and LeClair will meet with Easthampton Public School District officials next, attend a community meet-and-greet and participate in a public interview by the School Committee.
LeClair will visit on Tuesday, followed by Berrios on Wednesday. On both nights, the individual candidates will attend the meet-and-greets from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the cafe of Easthampton High School, followed by the public interviews, which will be held at 6 p.m. in the Easthampton School Library.
A third finalist, former Holyoke schools chief Sergio Paez, withdrew his name from the pool of final candidates last week.
The finalists were selected by a 14-person superintendent search committee which offered interviews to nine candidates out of the 19 who applied. According to Chairman Ed Zuchowski, after three of the semifinalists withdrew for personal reasons, the committee interviewed six candidates. Members of the school committee conducted site visits to vet the final two.
Berrios has served as principal of Smith Academy since 2012 and was vice principal of Chicopee Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School from 2009 to 2012.
LeClair has served as assistant superintendent of Agawam public schools since 2012.
The salary range for the position is $140,000 to $150,000.
The new superintendent will replace Nancy Follansbee, who is set to retire at the end of June after eight years as superintendent and after working with the district for over two decades in various positions.
M.J. Tidwell can be reached at mjtidwell@gazettenet.com.