Wayland To Interview 5 Interim Superintendent Candidates

WAYLAND, MA — The Wayland School Committee Tuesday will begin interviewing interim superintendent candidates in a bid to replace the outgoing interim superintendent — and to replace Superintendent Omar Easy, who was placed on leave by the committee two months ago.

The school committee has identified five different candidates interested in the one-year interim role. The district needs a superintendent before Parry Graham leaves to take over as the new Lincoln superintendent at the beginning of July.

Graham was appointed acting superintendent when the school committee placed Easy on involuntary leave Feb. 9. The school committee members have not explained why Easy was placed on leave, and have not said whether he might ever return.

At Monday's meeting, the committee members did not name the five possible interim superintendent candidates, but the lineup was made public Tuesday:

Tuesday interviews:

• Retired Stoneham superintendent John Macero
• Natick Deputy Superintendent Timothy Luff
• Outgoing Lincoln-Sudbury Superintendent Bella Wong

Wednesday interviews:

• Outgoing Weston Superintendent Midge Connelly
• Former Newton superintendent David Fleishman

Apart from the time crunch due to Graham's impending departure, Wayland is also facing competition for candidates. Ryan said he knows that Natick, Weston, Westwood and Melrose are also searching for interim superintendents.

Wayland may also take a financial hit hiring an interim candidate. Member Jessica Polizzotti asked how Wayland would pay an interim superintendent while also continuing to pay Easy — potentially two six-figure salaries.

Member Jeanne Downs said the stability of students should be the priority with the cost of leadership to-be-determined.

"I just think that we need to think about that and provide a really stable environment in our district and work the money out," Downs said.

The school committee members agreed to interview three candidates on Tuesday at a meeting set to begin at 6 p.m., and then two more at Wednesday's regular meeting. The members will likely meet again Friday to discuss the results of the interviews.