North Adams Names Two Finalists for Superintendent Post
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Two candidates have been put forward as meeting the qualifications to lead the North Adams Public Schools, one of whom was an administrator in the Pittsfield schools.
Barbara Malkas, currently superintendent in Webster, and Stephen Donovan, superintendent for Acushnet, were unanimously put foward by the 11-member search committee.
"We were unanimously and very strongly in support of the two finalist we are presenting tonight," said Howard "Jake" Eberwein, chairman of the superintendent search committee, in presenting the names to the School Committee.
Malkas is the best known name, having been an administrator in the Pittsfield Public Schools, lastly as deputy superintendent under Eberwein. She also was an assistant principal at McCann Technical School.
Donovan has spent his time in the Acushnet schools, including as a middle school principal and guidance counselor, before coming superintendent in 2006.
Both candidates hold doctorates and are in the middle of current contracts.
"To have two sitting superintendents as finalists is pretty unique," Eberwein said. "I was looking at the last six or seven searches in Berkshire county, in all cases, the districts hired either a principal or district curriculum coordinator or a special ed director.
"I think you're in a really unique position with two such highly qualified candidates."
Eberwein said he was confident that both candidates wanted to be in North Adams. Donovan spoke of this opportunity as being a progression in his career; Malkas had said she was happy in Webster but still has roots in the area and saw her career as coming full circle.
He made a point of saying that any relationships or prior knowledge of the candidates was "put on the table."
The candidates were chosen out of a field of 10 applicants. Five were invited to interviews, scheduled randomly over three nights, and Malkas and Donovan selected as the finalists. The committee also reviewed the applications, resumes, letters of reference and statements of educational philosophy.
Eberwein said the search committee entered the process with the notion that it wanted "the highest quality person to the superintendent of schools. ... These candidates meet these very high standards."
He commended the search committee members as being "a really tremendous group" to work with.
The School Committee approved a modified schedule that will include visits to the candidates district on April 4 and 5; visits by the candidates on April 11 and 12; and a final vote on April 12.
The new superintendent is expected to begin by July 1 or as soon as possible from that date. He or she will replace retired Superintendent James Montepare.
Mayor Richard Alcombright said he was pleased at the quality of the candidates, and the fact they were both sitting superintendents.
"I'm very excited about that going forward," he said.
Eberwein encouraged the School Committee to move the process along with due speed.
"I'm sure they're in demand," he said.
Tags: NAPS, search committee, superintendent,
