Saugus advertises for new schools superintendent

SAUGUS – Wanted: One highly capable educator to become superintendent of schools – for a system on the brink of disaster.That is not exactly how the advertisement that went out last week seeking Superintendent Keith Manville’s replacement read, although it could.Manville will retire in June and the School Department’s future depends on whether Town Meeting takes up the funding for the teacher’s contract in the coming weeks.The School Department’s budget has already taken a $1.3 million hit over the last year and it could lose another $339,000 if the town fails to fund the teachers contract.Manville was set to retire last June, but the School Department was in such flux due to budget cuts that he agreed to stay one more year. Since then, he has gently reminded the committee that he won’t be extending that stay and it must begin its search.In its ad, the Committee is seeking a certified candidate or one with pending certification. A doctorate degree is preferable, as is 10 years of combined teaching and administrative experience.Salary is listed as commensurate with experience, but it could also be commensurate with the department’s budget crisis.Making a little over $115,000 per year, Manville is the lowest paid superintendent in the greater Boston area.School Committee Chairman Joseph Malone said that is not going to stop them from courting the best.”We’re looking for someone with strong leadership skills,” he said. “We still have a tough row to hoe.”Malone said the desired candidate would also have to have good people skills, be diplomatic and have strong “intestinal fortitude because it looks like it might be a rough few years.”To ferret out the best candidate, the School Committee is also putting together a search committee. The committee will be made up of the five Committee members, two parents, two teachers, two administrators and one citizen from the community at large.Malone said anyone interested in serving on the committee should send a letter of interest to the School Administration Building, 23 Main St., Saugus, MA 01906.He expects the search committee to begin meeting sometime after the first of the year.