Nicholson Finalist for Two School Superintendent Positions

Andover assistant superintendent of schools Susan Nicholson is now a finalist for a superintendent job in both Waltham and Grafton after recently informing the Andover administration that she would be leaving her job in June.

Nicholson, who has been serving as Andover's assistant school superintendent since 2007, is one of two finalists for the Waltham school superintendent position and one of four for the Grafton school superintendent position.

During her interview with the Waltham School Committee, Nicholson explained why she was leaving Andover schools.

“Because finding another position is almost a full-time job,” Nicholson said about her decision to leave the Andover district.

Waltham Job

The Waltham Public Schools are looking to replace former superintendent Peter Azar, who resigned last year after a dispute with the school committee. Assistant Superintendent For Administration Anne Marie Carr-Reardon has been managing the district in the interim.

The Waltham School Ccommittee, during an 8 a.m. meeting at , unanimously voted to schedule site visits to the current jobs of finalists and Athol-Royalston Regional school superintendent . The vote does not include doing a site for the third finalist, Paul Schlichtman, of Arlington, but it does not prevent the group from performing one later. 

The Waltham School Committee hopes to make a decision at a meeting on Monday, March 21 at 7 p.m.

Grafton Job

Nicholson is one of four vying for the superintendent position in the Grafton Public Schools.

Along with Nicholson is Grafton’s own assistant superintendent Lucille M. Boutiette, Shrewsbury assistant superintendent of schools James Cummings and Natick assistant superintendent of schools Karen L. LeDuc.

School Committee members will now conduct site visits in the school districts of each candidate. This will be followed by site visits to Grafton by all candidates, who will then be interviewed by the School Committee.

The new superintendent will replace Joseph Connors, who is retiring at the end of the school year.