ITEM PHOTO BY ADAM SWIFT
Pictured is Harrington Elementary School Principal Debra Ruggiero.
By ADAM SWIFT
PEABODY — Debra Ruggiero, principal of the Harrington Elementary School in Lynn, is one of three finalists for superintendent in Peabody.
Somerville High School Headmaster John Oteri and Gloucester Assistant Superintendent Arthur Unobskey are the other two finalists to replace interim Superintendent Herb Levine.
“I’m certainly very excited and honored that they see me as a candidate who is viable to be superintendent,” Ruggiero said. “I’ve worked very hard in my career, and I hope (the School Committee) sees that in the site visits and final interview.”
Over the coming weeks, the Peabody School Committee will be visiting the home school districts of the three finalists followed by visits by the finalists to Peabody and a final interview before the committee.E
School Committee members will visit Lynn on March 30, and Ruggiero said she will be visiting Peabody in April for the site visit and interview. During the visit to Peabody, the finalists will meet with city leaders, such as the police and fire chiefs, as well as school officials.
Ruggiero said she understands it is a big jump from elementary school principal, but said she believes she has the educational experience to make her a qualified candidate for the position. Ruggiero is also the only superintendent candidate who calls Peabody home.
“I know that it is a key part that they are looking for someone to be invested in Peabody as a whole, whether they are a resident or not,” said Ruggiero. “I have lived in Peabody for a long time, and have been involved, particularly when my children were younger.”
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At the first round of interviews with the School Committee earlier this week, Oteri said he places a premium on hiring educators who go above and beyond and are able to communicate clearly and concisely.
“The objective (in a classroom) should be very clear,” Oteri said. “I should go in the classroom, a grandmother should be able to go in there and know what they are doing within five minutes.”
Unobskey, who met with the School Committee last week, said he has an educational philosophy that serves all kids and makes sure all teachers are heard. He said he’s done his research on Peabody and would love to be a part of the community.
“I really think that the diversity and the size is a wonderful combination for me,” Unobskey said.
Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt Jr. said he is happy with the candidates the School Committee selected to move forward to the next round of the process.
“The superintendent in Peabody is a very challenging position and we want to make sure the next superintendent is the right person to handle all the responsibilities of the position,” said Bettencourt. “This is the most important decision the School Committee will make, and the three candidates are worthy to continue the process and for us to learn more about.”
School Committee member Beverley Griffin Dunne voted against moving forward with the three finalists, citing the candidates’ lack of experience as superintendents.
“I’m personally disappointed, I had hoped we would have had someone apply who had been a superintendent, possibly in a smaller district,” said Dunne. “Peabody is a big district with a lot of moving parts, I think someone with experience as a superintendent would be better than someone who has not been a superintendent before.”
The position was advertised with a salary range of $175,000-$190,000 with a three-year initial contract. The official posted start date is July 1.
Dunne said she is also concerned about the salary level, since when it was approved, she said the committee was basing those numbers on bringing in someone with superintendent experience.
“I was willing to pay for someone with experience,” said Dunne. “Now it’s a really good salary range for someone who has not been a superintendent. All three finalists are fine people, and I think they will make fine superintendents, just not in Peabody … this is a huge job.”
