Three vie for Peabody schools superintendent post

PEABODY – The Peabody School Committee revealed the three finalists for the superintendent?s position Tuesday night.The finalists are Salem Academy headmaster David Fischer, Scituate Interim Superintendent James Kelleher and Groton-Dunstable Superintendent Joseph Mastrocola.?All finalists are committed to education and would make an excellent superintendent,” said school committee member Tom Rossignoll, who was the chairman of the search committee for the superintendent.The search started out with 18 individuals who applied for the position. From the 18, eight were chosen and after being interviewed four were chosen. Three out of the four accepted to move forward and be considered a finalist.Site visits where each candidate works are next in the process. “You want to meet with people they work with. You want to meet with staff members, town and city officials, union representatives, parent groups, special education directors and department heads,” school committee member David McGeney said. “Obviously, you won?t get to meet everyone. However, it is a good indication to us about the candidates on how many people they can get and how efficient they are.”After site visits, each candidate will be interviewed by the school committee.McGeney suggested that now that the candidates? names are public that the remaining process be relatively quick. “I think it is important that this process not take more than three weeks,” he said. “I know everyone is busy but this is important.”He also suggested that the candidates visit Peabody for a day and meet the staff. “So they can see if it is a good fit for them and if this marriage is going to work,” McGeney said,Sara Brown can be reached at [email protected].