Malone falls short in Worcester super bid

SWAMPSCOTT – Superintendent of Schools Matthew Malone was not offered the superintendent job in Worcester.Malone, who was interviewed in Worcester on Thursday evening, was one of three finalists for the position. But the Worcester School Committee passed over Malone in favor of Melinda J. Boone, who is the chief academic officer of public schools in Norfolk, Va.On Friday morning Malone, whose contract with Swampscott runs through June 30, 2010, said he does not have another position lined up.”I might work until the end of my contract,” he said. “I don’t know what I’ll do after that. I only know it has to be something I feel passionate about. I’m passionate about education, culinary arts and woodworking. The possibilities are endless. I may go to culinary school and run a restaurant. I’ve always wanted to do that.”Malone said he was honored he was considered as a finalist in Worcester, which is the second largest city in the state.”I was very, very impressed with the process Worcester engaged in during their search for a new superintendent,” he said. “I had a great 12-hour day in Worcester on Thursday and was blown away by instruction I saw at three different schools.”Malone said he was excited by the prospect of working in a large urban district like Worcester.”I was very interested in the position in Worcester and I thought it was a good fit for me,” he said. “But the School Committee made the right decision to hire Boone. She is a renowned educator on a national level and I wish her well.”Even though Malone was not offered the position in Worcester the Swampscott School Committee will be looking for a new superintendent in the not too distant future.Last month Malone informed the School Committee in writing he would not seek an extension beyond June 30, 2010 when his current contract expires.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.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 him.Before coming to Swampscott, Malone was the special assistant to the superintendent of schools in San Diego.