Wareham taps MASC to run superintendent search; committee to use surveys, focus groups and student voice

The Wareham School Committee asked the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) to lead its search for a new superintendent and approved using community surveys and focus groups to shape candidate qualifications.

Sean Costello, a field director with MASC, told the committee he will work closely with a designated point person from the committee to finalize a district profile, run public engagement (surveys and optional focus groups), and manage interview timelines. “I would be looking for from you is the approval to work with Kevin on a district profile,” Costello said, explaining that the profile and community feedback inform interview questions and the composition of the district’s search committee.

Why it matters: the search process sets the criteria and timeline for selecting Wareham’s next chief school officer. The committee discussed when and how to solicit input from parents, staff, students and community members and signaled a preference for a district-wide survey followed by in-person or virtual focus groups when finalists are named.

Committee members agreed it is helpful to name a point person to work with MASC. Committee chair Kevin Brojali and member April Joyce were identified as the likely liaisons; Costello said he prefers a single, designated contact to speed logistics and finalize a contract. “It’s a whole heck of a lot easier if I have a point person to work with,” Costello said.

Costello outlined a typical sequence: draft a district profile; disseminate a survey and schedule focus groups with stakeholder groups (parents, staff, students and community); use the results to refine the profile and interview questions; convene a search subcommittee for candidate screening; hold interviews and recommend finalists to the full committee. He recommended at least one student on the search committee and said finalists’ identities are provided to the full committee for privacy reasons after an initial screening.

Committee members asked practical questions about engagement methods. April Joyce and other members said in-person forums in past searches drew low attendance and suggested adding virtual focus-group options and targeted outreach to groups that may not attend evening meetings (for example, the council on aging). Costello said districts see variable turnout and that surveys can yield much of the same information as a focus group; still, he recommended both where possible and advised repeating focused community input when finalists are named.

No formal vote was taken on timeline or final community engagement instruments at the meeting. Costello said he would provide a draft contract and timeline for the committee to approve and estimated that with committee approval of the timeline Wareham could potentially have a superintendent named before year end.

Ending: The committee directed Brojali and Joyce to continue working with MASC on the district profile, survey and focus-group schedule and to return to the public committee with finalized materials and a proposed timeline for next steps.