Marblehead planning superintendent search

MARBLEHEAD – When it comes to a new superintendent of schools, School Committee members seem ready to look for a leader who shares retiring Superintendent of Schools Paul Dulac’s vision of education.School Committee member Jonathan Lederman raised that question at a committee meeting earlier this month. "Do we want a new superintendent who can handle the nuts and bolts or a visionary leader?" he asked his colleagues.Eurim Chun said she would like to see "a visionary with a strong background in curriculum" and someone who would be "effective working with the town and the budget."Dick Nohelty pointed out, "Paul brought a high order of vision to the schools and we have to allow that to go forward. I’d hate to see it turn in a different direction. We really need to stay the course."The committee appears ready to seek out a search firm this fall to conduct the search process and members plan to spend the summer thinking about their specific needs for a new superintendent and the kind of search firm they need.Committee Chairman Patricia Blackmer gave her colleagues a 2005 outline with a six-week schedule for hiring a search firm.When Dulac was hired in 2006 the School Committee got a summertime headstart for its search, naming a 14-member Screening Committee and using a consultant from the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) in hopes of naming a new superintendent by Jan. 1, 2007.The Screening Committee included two School Committee members, Town Administrator Tony Sasso, a selectman, a Finance Committee member, three residents, a school principal, two teachers and three school parents.