Malone loses out on Springfield job

SWAMPSCOTT – Superintendent Matthew Malone was denied the superintendent job in Springfield Tuesday afternoon.Malone, who has only been at the helm of the Swampscott Public Schools since April 2005, was one of four finalists interviewed over the weekend for the position.The district narrowed the search down to four finalists last week and Malone was one of four finalists interviewed over the weekend and on Monday. The Finance Control Board and School Committee made a decision to hire Alan Ingram, who is currently the chief accountability officer for Oklahoma City public schools.The demographics in Ingram’s district in Oklahoma are similar to those in Springfield. Both communities have a high poverty rate and a large minority population.Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said he was impressed with the qualifications of all four candidates, but said that of them, Ingram’s message was inspiring and most purposeful.”We would like to congratulate the School Committee and Mayor Sarno on their leadership in this endeavor,” said Springfield Finance Control Board Chairman Chris Gabrieli. “The search process was thorough and effective ? and we had the opportunity to meet and interview four impressive candidates. The Control Board has been happy to catalyze this process.”Malone and Brockton Public Schools Superintendent Basan Nembirkow were the only two candidates from the Commonwealth. The fourth candidate was Joseph J. Redden, who lives in Marietta, Georgia. Redden was most recently program manager for the Stupski Foundation in Mill Valley, California.Attempts to reach Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who serves as chairman of the School Committee and Springfield School Committee Vice Chairman Kenneth E. Shea were unsuccessful on Tuesday.Calls to Malone were not immediately returned on Tuesday but School Committee Chairman David Whelan said he doesn’t believe Malone is actively engaged in a job search. Whelan said Springfield sought Malone out and asked if his name could be added to the list of candidates.