Clancy proposes superintedent’s replacement

LYNN – Days after Superintendent of Schools Nicholas Kostan announced his retirement Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. says he has someone in mind to step in after the first of the year.
Speaking Monday morning, Clancy said he would encourage the School Committee to insert Classical High School Principal Warren White to the position on an acting basis, citing consistency as the primary reason for the choice.
Kostan announced his retirement to the School Committee Thursday night, planning to step aside as close to Jan. 1 as possible. Because his retirement falls in the middle of the school year, the most likely scenario is that the School Committee would hire someone on an interim basis and made a decision on a permanent replacement over the summer.
Clancy said that unlike seven years ago when he knew Kostan was the man for the job, he does not have anyone specific in mind this time around. Hiring White would keep Kostan’s current administrative team in tact heading in to fiscal year 2010 budget talks and maintain stability in the School Department until the School Committee can conduct a larger search.
“Warren White would be the interim or acting superintendent then there would most likely be a full search,” Clancy said. “Unlike seven years ago, I truly don’t have anyone in mind for the job. I don’t believe in charades, if I think someone is the right person for the job, why kid people. Warren brings stability, he is a known quantity, he has served in a variety of positions and most of all, he will not disturb the table.”
Kostan and White have followed similar career paths in the Lynn public school system, both having been principal at Breed Middle School and vice principal at Classical before assuming the job of principal. Kostan held the spot from 1993-1999 when he became Deputy Superintendent, while White was hired to lead the school in 2003, a spot he maintains today.
White holds a Masters in Education from Suffolk University and is certified for the position of superintendent. White was a candidate for deputy superintendent in 2006, but was passed over in favor of current deputies Jaye Warry and Catherine Latham.
Although superintendent is a job that White ultimately desires, he said it is too soon to know what will happen once Kostan retires.
“I am certified for the superintendent position and I have applied for the deputy position in the past,” he said. “Right now everything is too new to make any decision.”
Clancy said if White is approved by the School Committee he would prefer to have him begin working with Kostan soon so he is better prepared to take over after the first of the year.