Search committee forming to find new Northampton Superintendent

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - As the new school year begins, members of the city's top education board are already preparing for the departure of Superintendent of Schools Isabelina Rodriguez and are looking to replace member Tim Fisher, who currently represents the city's third ward.

At their meeting last week, School Committee members unanimously voted to form a search panel charged with finding a replacement for Rodriguez, whose current three-year contract expires in the end of June 2011.

According to Stephanie Pick, vice chairwoman of the committee, Rodriguez, who has held the post since 2004, recently informed members that she isn't interested in renewing her contract, because she wants to pursue other educational opportunities.

The search committee, which will be appointed by Pick, is expected to be made up of parents, faculty members and students and will be tasked with conducting the preliminary screening of candidates before nominating several semi-finalists for the School Committee's consideration. Pick said anyone interested in serving should send a brief letter of interest with a summary of their background to her at stephaniepick@yahoo.com no later than Sept. 3.

In addition to search panel members, the School Committee unanimously voted to hire a third-party consultant to assist in the process, which is expected to begin in the coming months.

Rodriguez began working in Northampton as director of pupil services in 1994. Prior to joining the local school system, Rodriguez worked in Springfield public schools, serving first as a bilingual special education teacher for six years before accepting the position of supervisor of special education.

At the same meeting, Pick said Fisher announced that he is moving from the area and will be resigning his seat on the committee this fall, more than two years before his term was set to expire.

Because he has more than two years left, Pick said a special election will have to be held to determine a replacement.

City Clerk Wendy Mazza, Pick said, hopes to have nomination papers ready before the end of September, and a primary date for the election, if needed, will likely be set for December, with a final vote expected in January.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.