School head rumor mill spins in Lynn

LYNN – It has only been a few days since Superintendent Nicholas Kostan informed the School Committee of his impending retirement, but the rumor mill is already spinning regarding his replacement.Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. says he has one top candidate in mind for the job, while School Committee members continue to research candidates from both inside and outside of the School Department.Kostan said he plans to retire as close to Jan. 1, 2009 as possible, giving officials three months to interview candidates and find a replacement for his job.The city must publicly post the position for 30 days before beginning interviews, something the School Committee would like to begin doing as soon as possible.”I am hoping by the next meeting (Oct. 16) we can have a job description in front of us and review the posting,” said Committee member Donna Coppola, noting that she would like to see a doctorate degree as a requirement this time around. “I want to see it posted as quickly as possible and I would like to see us revert back to a doctorate. Nick did a good job, but this is a huge position, a doctorate is an important thing to have.”Kostan, a deputy superintendent at the time, did not have a doctorate when he was hired to replace James Mazareas in 2002.One name that has surfaced as Clancy’s top choice for the job is Classical High School Principal Warren White, who also does not hold a doctorate, but is certified as a superintendent.Like Kostan, White has served as Principal at Breed Middle School along with Classical and was one of six candidates for a deputy superintendent position in 2006 before losing out to current deputies Jaye Warry and Catherine Latham.”Unlike seven years ago, I truly don’t have anyone in mind for the job,” Clancy said, referring to when he recommended hiring Kostan. “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.”While Clancy suggested hiring someone on an interim basis to finish out the year, Coppola said the School Department would be better off finding Kostan’s full time replacement now so that there is no question as to whether the acting superintendent has the best interest of the schools in mind.”I absolutely do no think this should be an interim position, Nick has given us enough notice to make a good decision,” she said. “This is a tough job in tough times. We need someone who will have a real stake in this for the long term. We need to find someone with a vision for the future.”The school department is not without potential candidates. Along with White, other names that have surfaced include Warry, Latham and Ford School Principal Claire Crane.School Committee member John E. Ford met with Clancy Monday morning and said it is important for everyone on the Committee to agree with the new choice to keep the department moving in the right direction.”Warren is a good guy, but I think we have to look at all of the candidates. I think we are going to have a lot of interest once we post the job. We should make a consensus and come up with the best person,” he said. “What we have within the Lynn School Department is a very successful regime and a cohesive team and whatever we do we should attempt to keep it in tact.”One thing that Nick brought to this department is teamwork. I think we need to all be in agreement on this decision.”