The Andover School Committee has selected Marinel McGrath, current superintendent of the Hamilton-Wenham schools, to replace outgoing superintendent Claudia Bach.
McGrath, who worked as assistant superintendent in Andover from 1995 to 2002, says she intends to accept the School Committee’s offer.
“I am feeling pretty ecstatic about the vote,” said McGrath, when reached by cell phone Thursday night, shortly after the School Committee's decision. “I am thrilled to have been selected as the next superintendent ... I’m looking forward to serve, once again, the students, families and community (of Andover). I’m very pleased it was a 5-0 vote.”
McGrath was chosen from a pool of four finalists that included Susan Nicholson, current assistant superintendent in Andover; Kelly Clenchy, superintendent of a regional school district in Orono, Maine; and Christopher Farmer, superintendent of Gloucester schools. The vote came about 90 minutes after the committee completed its interview of McGrath, the last finalist interviewed this week.
During a public discussion before the vote, School Committee members Annie Gilbert, David Birnbach, Debra Silberstein and Dennis Forgue all expressed preference for McGrath, while Dick Collins supported Susan Nicholson as his first choice. However, Collins said he believes it is important for the vote to hire a new superintendent to be unanimous, and he ultimately voted for McGrath.
“We’ve made a very good choice. I support the other members of the committee on this,” said Collins after the vote was taken.
Roughly one dozen parents and staff members were in the audience for Thursday's 7 p.m. meeting. Several pulled out cell phones and text-messaged friends with the news immediately after the School Committee made its decision.
“I think we had four fabulous candidates that could certainly do a good job,” said Sanborn Elementary School Principal Patricia Barrett, who met McGrath for the first time Thursday afternoon. “I was impressed with her vision and leadership. I think she will lead us, as she said, in a collaborative manner. I look forward to working with her.”
Birnbach and Silberstein, who knew McGrath as Andover’s assistant superintendent, said they were impressed with how she’s grown during her eight years in Hamilton-Wenham.
“I am very, very comforted and convinced she has grown tremendously in the last eight years,” said Birnbach. “She has had eight years experience as a superintendent dealing with very onerous budget challenges. With the challenges that Andover has, to me, that is a really important skill set criteria.”
“She has a singular mix of all the qualities that make her the right person at the right time for Andover. She knows the district, but also has eight years of experience under her belt. She brings a fresh set of eyes, which I think we need,” said Annie Gilbert.
Mike Gilbert, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees consultant hired by the School Committee to conduct the superintendent search, left the room after the vote was taken to call McGrath and extend her the offer, pending successful negotiation of a contract. A few minutes later, Silberstein returned to the room saying McGrath was "humbled by the offer," and looking forward to coming back to Andover.
Bach, Andover superintendent since 1998, announced in October her intention to step down. Her contract lasts through June 30, but the School Committee has given her permission to leave earlier, if she finds another opportunity she wishes to pursue.
For more on the selection and new superintendent Marinel McGrath see the upcoming March 11 print edition of the Townsman.
