PEABODY — The School Committee expects to have an interim school superintendent in place by early January as it launches the search to find the successor to the late Cara Murtagh.
“We are actively working with Massachusetts Association of Superintendents and Committees (MASC) and Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) to select an interim superintendent,” said committee member Beverly Griffin-Dunne. “We have been working hand in hand with both groups, who have offered all kinds of support to get us through the first three weeks.”
The city continues to mourn Murtagh, who died on Thanksgiving, and Peabody Veterans Memorial High School Assistant Vice Principal Judith Maniatis, who died on Nov. 30.
The two educators were the primary focus of the Dec. 10 committee meeting. A moment of silence was observed in honor of the two women.
“It’s been an extremely difficult and emotional week for all of us here in Peabody across our school district and across our city as we have had two wonderful educators, who gave so much to the city of Peabody and its students, pass away, both unexpectedly,” said Peabody Mayor and School Committee Chairman Ted Bettencourt. “I think Peabody is such a special place in the regard that it was really wonderful how the community came together in grief and in support of one another for both Cara and Judy.”
Griffin-Dunne said a key reason the district has been able to continue since Murtagh’s death is Murtagh.
“She left us in such good shape,” said Griffin-Dunne. What she did was leave us a road map and all we need to do is follow it. If we don’t, shame on us. We owe it to Cara to continue her vision.”
Bettencourt praised Maniatis as a lifelong educator and unit director, the last several years as a high school vice principal.
“She did a terrific job in an extremely difficult position, contributing in so many ways to the success we have had at our schools,” he said. “Judy’s passing was extremely difficult to the high school community as she touched a great number of lives across the city.”
Bettencourt said he was touched by the number of students who reached out to him.
“It was wonderful to hear so many students giving examples of how she went the extra mile for the kids under her care and how many lives she touched,” he said. “It’s a tremendous loss.”
Bettencourt said Murtagh’s death leaves a huge void in the Peabody community in countless ways.
“Cara was such a kind, caring, compassionate person who really gave everything she had to the Peabody school system and to our students,” he said. “So many people stood for hours in the cold just to pay tribute to her and honor her memory, that’s how many people she touched. During the worst of times, it brought out the best of us.”
Bettencourt thanked Assistant Superintendent Dr. Chris Lord for his efforts guiding the district.
“You have been outstanding and have provided assurance and amazing support,” Bettencourt said. “You stepped up in the face of tragedy and we are proud to have you.”
Lord said he is splitting his time spending mornings as interim principal at the high school and afternoons at the School Committee office.
“We’re just trying to keep our heads above water right now, and so far no decision has been made except we know we are looking to hire an assistant principal,” Lord said.
Mary Henry, president of the Peabody Federation of Teachers, thanked the School Committee for coming together in the wake of tragedy.
She told the committee that a donation in Murtagh’s memory will be made to the Peabody Education Foundation from the proceeds of the National Honor Society’s Candy Canes for Cara campaign.
