Second candidate drops out of superintendent race

Newton South High School Principal Brian Salzer has removed his name from the running for the Lynn Public Schools Superintendent position, reducing the number of candidates to seven.
School Committee Secretary Thomas Iarrobino said Salzer called early Monday morning to remove his name from the list. He had been scheduled to interview in front of the School Committee Dec. 17.
According to published reports out of Newton, Salzer sent a memo home to parents shortly after applying for the Lynn job saying that he was interested in “increasing” his leadership role in a school district, and has applied for assistant superintendent and superintendent positions in multiple communities.
A message left for Salzer at Newton South High School was not returned Tuesday afternoon.
Salzer is the second of nine original candidates to drop out of the running to replace Nicholas Kostan, who is retiring Jan. 1 after seven years on the job. An unidentified candidate dropped out of the running before names and resumes were made available Dec. 2.
With seven candidates left, the School Committee is set to move forward with the first interviews this Thursday beginning at 4 p.m. Former Ayer Superintendent and current Interim Deputy Superintendent in Leominster Lore Nielsen will interview at 4 p.m. followed by Taunton Superintendent Art Stellar at 5 p.m.
Ford K-8 Principal Claire Crane and Worcester Deputy Superintendent Stephen Mills will interview next Thursday, Dec. 17 and Lynn Deputy Superintendents Jaye Warry and Catherine Latham will join Classical High School Principal Warren White for the last day of interviews Dec. 18.
The School Committee is hoping to make a decision before the Christmas break.