Search for next Springfield School Superintendent continues

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - The search continues for the next superintendent of Springfield Public Schools. We’re learning new information about possible applicants presented to a committee helping lead that search.

The meeting ended at the Springfield Public Schools offices as the school district continues looking for its next superintendent.

On Tuesday afternoon, an attorney representing an outside firm revealed to the Ad HOC Superintendent Selection Advisory Committee, 12 applications have already been received for the position, however one of them was marked incomplete.

Western Mass News also learned that some of the applicants did not meet the minimum requirements for the position. So we are down to five, three of whom are from within the commonwealth and the other two from out of state.

This report comes about two months after current Superintendent Dan Warwick announced he was retiring at the end of the school year.

The quest for a new superintendent officially began on March 4, with the Ad HOC Committee also extending an invitation to community members who want to participate in the phase when applicants are screened.

Western Mass News spoke with the Ad HOC Committee’s chair, Chris Collins, about what qualities are expected from the next leader of the school district.

“There was talk about communication, there was talk about knowing the teaching experience, there was talk about the breadth of their knowledge and their experience and those are the kinds of things we’ll be looking for as a committee too,” said Collins.

The public, of course, is expected to have some major input in this search, as Monday’s report comes weeks after a shooting incident at the High School of Science and Technology, prompting calls for an increase in safety measures to keep students, faculty and staff safe.

That topic is expected to be a key element in this search for the next superintendent of Springfield Public Schools.

In fact, public input will be heard for the second time in this search process at an ad hoc committee meeting happening at 5 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon at Springfield Central High School.

As for the search itself, Springfield Public Schools hopes to name its next superintendent at the end of May.