Waltham To Choose Superintendent This Month

WALTHAM, MA — Waltham may soon have a new Superintendent of Schools.

Earlier this week, Waltham School Committee members spent time in each of the finalist's current districts. In turn, each finalist visited Waltham to tour some schools and talk with staff.

"On Thursday, February 27, 2020, the School Committee will meet for a special meeting to share information from our visits and to decide on our next Superintendent for Waltham Public Schools," said School Committee member John Frassica.

Former HR director George Frost is interim superintendent this school year as the district searches for someone to fill the role for the next three years.

Sergio Paez and Brian Reagan and Frank Hackett came before the school committee for their public interviews last week as a handful of search committee members, teachers, and administrators watched from the audience. Questions ranged in topic to access the candidates' level of commitment

Although Reagan grew up in Waltham, none of the candidates have worked in the district. Both Paez and Hacket have years of experience in other districts as superintendents. Reagan has been a principal and is serving as an assistant superintendent.

The new superintendent would oversee a budget of about $92 million across 10 schools and a pre school and some 5,692 students, 51 percent of which English is not their first language. Of the student population 49.5 percent are considered low Income, and 15.6 percent are considered needing special education.

The next superintendent would also be expected to usher in - and follow through with - the master plan for the new high school building project and address diversity needs and education gaps in the district.

The search committee was made up of 15 people, including three school committee members, two administrators, three faculty members, three parents, two community members, and representatives of the special education team and of an English language learner. They spent months combing through the more than two dozen applications. That culminated in choosing four finalists earlier this month to move forward to the School Committee. Brad Morgan, who previously worked in Waltham, withdrew before his interview with the committee.

Previously:

• Search For Superintendent Of Waltham Schools Is On
• George Frost To Be Waltham Schools Interim Superintendent
• Waltham Superintendent Echelson Resigns, Takes Job At ...
• Waltham Seeks Superintendent Search Committee Members
• 19 People Applied To Be Superintendent of Waltham Schools
• Superintendent Search Hits Snag In Waltham
• Search For Superintendent Of Waltham Schools Is On Again
• Waltham Superintendent Candidate Withdraws

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).