Swampscott super one of three finalists in Worcester

SWAMPSCOTT – Superintendent Matthew Malone is one of three finalists for the superintendent position in Worcester.Thursday evening the Worcester Superintendent Search Committee announced its three finalists ? Malone, Melinda Boone, chief academic officer of the Norfolk, Va. public schools and Timothy Connors, who is superintendent of the White Plains, N.Y., public schools.?I am excited and honored to be a finalist for this position,” Malone said. “I will be communicating directly with our School Committee chairperson on this issue as we move forward from here.”In his application to Worcester, Malone stated, “Over the past five years, I have learned many great leadership lessons through trial and error. The most important of which is that a leader must listen first before making decisions?”The Worcester Superintendent Search Committee is in the process of scheduling interviews with the finalists.School Committee Chairman David Whelan said Malone informed him he had applied for the Worcester position and immediately notified the School Committee when he learned he was a finalist.?Matt (Malone) has in all cases told me when a district has expressed interest in him,” he said. “When he becomes a candidate for a position the entire School Committee has been informed. He has been very forthright and honest with us every step of the way.”Whether Malone gets the position in Worcester or not, the School Committee will need to search for a replacement for Malone in the not too distant future. Malone informed the School Committee in writing he would not seek an extension beyond June 30, 2010 when his current contract expires.Whelan said a search committee for a replacement hasn’t been formed yet.?It’s on our radar screen,” he said. “I expect will we start having preliminary discussions regarding forming a committee. Five years is a long time for a superintendent today. The shelf life for a superintendent is less than 10 years.”Malone signed a three-year contract with the district in June 2005 that was in effect through June 30, 2008. In January 2007, the School Committee voted unanimously to extend his contract through June 30, 2010. Before coming to Swampscott, Malone was the special assistant to the superintendent of schools in San Diego, Calif.A recent press release issued by the School Committee expressed confidence in Malone even though he is actively seeking other jobs and has announced he would not extend his contract in Swampscott.?During the remainder of his tenure the School Committee is confident that Dr. Malone will continue to serve the students of the Swampscott Public Schools with the same passion and dedication that has always existed,” the press release continued. “He has always put forth the utmost effort in his service to the Swampscott Public Schools.”Malone has frequently been at odds with the Swampscott Education Association leadership and in June the union voted 138-6 to announce it has no confidence in Malone’s leadership but the School Committee continues to back Malone’s leadership.