A week after selecting Theresa McGuinness as Marblehead Public School’s next superintendent following Dr. John Buckey’s departure, the School Committee is working to expedite the change in leadership.
Committee Chair Sarah Fox said on Monday, Oct. 16 that contract negotiations are underway and could be finalized within the coming days. While factors such as the duration of McGuinness’s contract are still being deliberated, Fox is confident that she will be ready to go by next month.
“She’ll be joining us at some point in early November, and I’m really excited,” Fox said.
Fox reiterated her reasoning for why she felt McGuinness was the right person for the job, which centered around her previous ties to the town and its schools.
“Theresa had exceptional references and already had established relationships with faculty and families,” Fox said. “She really seemed to be all about bridging people who are coming from differing sides and getting the community to come together… What we need in our interim is someone who can bring the community together but also use a data-driven approach to why we’re making these decisions that we’re making.”
McGuinness served as the Village School’s Principal from 2012 to 2016.
The other Committee members shared what they discovered about McGuinness before voting 4-1 to extend an offer to her at their last meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Committee member Meagan Taylor was the lone member voting against, who previously made a motion to keep Michelle Cresta as interim superintendent before withdrawing.
Taylor did however vote in favor, along with the other four members, of a motion of support for McGuinness after the motion to extend a contract passed.
Taylor listed off the themes she gleaned from McGuinness’s references. They included being a consensus builder, data focused, and being knowledgeable on overall curriculum and instruction. Alison Taylor relayed how she heard about McGuinness’s mentor and leadership abilities. An example of how McGuinness was able to adequately communicate with a district what a diversity, equity and inclusion methodology entailed. The feedback gathered by Brian Ota focused mostly on McGuinness’s intelligence and what she accomplished in previous positions with her acumen.
“She understands the process and steps needed to make changes that needed to be done,” Ota read. “She created professional development necessary to bring the staff up to speed on data analysis tools and how to convert them into action plans… she brought much needed stability and consistency to the district.”
Jenn Schaeffner added that a visit to Watertown Public Schools where McGuinness served as assistant superintendent reaffirmed the previous commendations already stated by her fellow Committee members.
As of press time, the details of McGuinness’s contract as Interim Superintendent have not yet been released.