Brookline Superintendent Search Is On: Next Up, Your Input

BROOKLINE, MA — The search for a new Superintendent Of Brookline Schools is on. Monday, the district announced four community meetings throughout the month. The meetings are designed for the public to offer feedback and make recommendations as the School Committee and a search firm work to find a permanent superintendent, according to the announcement.

Ben Lummis, who was the administrator for the schools, 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 is set to be in position temporarily until a permanent superintendent is found. The plan is to have a superintendent selected by the end of April.

The New England School Development Council, the search firm selected by the School Committee to help find a district leader, is asking for community feedback on the qualities, skills, and folks believe are necessary to be an effective superintendent.

The firm will use the answers they receive from the meetings and an online survey to create a profile that will help the Search Committee and Public Advisory Committee review and select potential candidates to interview. The online survey is anonymous and closes at noon on January 15.

Schedule of Community Focus Groups for Superintendent Search:

• 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7 - High Street Veterans Community Room, 226 High Street
• 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14- Town Hall, 5th Floor, School Committee Room, 333 Washington Street
• 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Wed, Jan. 15 - Putterham Library Meeting Room, 959 West Roxbury Parkway
• 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan 16 -Coolidge Corner School Multi-Purpose Room, 345 Harvard Street

The announcement in July that Bott was stepping down came as a surprise to many. He left Brookline as the district working on negotiating contentious teacher contracts, finding enough space to accommodate rising enrollment after the town voted down a plan to build a ninth elementary, and a renovation of the high school.

In a letter to the school committee Bott said his work over the past few years had come at "great personal cost" to him and his family.

Previously:

Brookline Public Schools Superintendent Andrew Bott Resigns ( July 2019)

Brookline School Committee To Begin Interim Superintendent ... (July 2019)

Brookline Names Ben Lummis Interim Superintendent ... (Aug. 2019)

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).