Brookline Eyes Superintendent Coach To Run Schools Next Year

BROOKLINE, MA —The committee tasked with making a recommendation to the School Committee on who to choose for next interim superintendent for Brookline is recommending former Winchester Superintendent and Newton North principal James Marini to serve as Brookline's next interim superintendent.

If the School Committee approves the choice the district will work to get Department of Elementary and Secondary Education approval for the move by way of a Critical Shortage Waiver. The appointment is also pending contract negotiation with Marini.

The School Committee will meet at 4 p.m. Friday to interview Marini and most likely vote, according to school officials.

Marini has been a superintendent of schools in Winchester as well as an Interim Superintendent in Newton and North Andover school districts. He was principal of Newton North High School and Concord Middle School. Marini is a coach in the New Superintendent Induction Program and a Boston College adjunct faculty member. He's mentored principals and central office administrators from across the Commonwealth, according to his profile on Teachers21 at William James College.

"Marini possesses incredible listening and speaking skills and is viewed by many as an exemplar of clear and effective communication, particularly around challenging topics and issues," reads his bio.

Marini, if chosen, will serve as Brookline's interim superintendent of schools for the 2020-2021 school year.

The district had hoped to have a permanent superintendent selected by the end of April. But the search that started earlier this year failed, according to school committee members.

In response, officials adjusted their focus.

On March 18, as current Interim Superintendent Ben Lummis's term was set to expire, the School Committee announced plans to restart the search process and hire an interim superintendent for the 2020-21 academic year before reopening the search for a permanent superintendent in the fall.

The screening committee started interviews the week of April 13. Committee members were mum on just how many people applied for the position.

Only six candidates applied last year for interim superintendent. The committee expressed hope that more people would apply this round.

Lummis was the administrator for the schools before he slid into the superintendent role at the beginning of this school year when former Superintendent Andrew Bott stepped down abruptly after three years at the helm. Lummis was set to be in position temporarily until the end of this school year.

Last year the Brookline School Committee decided to specifically not allow anyone who took the interim position to apply for the permanent position.

The superintendent would oversee a staff of approximately 1,600, supported by $115 million budget. The interim superintendent job description.

The School Committee meeting will be virtual via Webex.

• Search For Interim Superintendent Underway In Brookline

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).Have a press release you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how to post a press release, opinion piece.