Taunton Educator Tabbed As New Braintree HS Headmaster

BRAINTREE, MA — Following two unsuccessful searches, Braintree High School is closer to having a new headmaster.

The Braintree School Committee voted Monday to allow Superintendent Frank Hackett to offer the position to Christopher Scully, the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for the Taunton Public School. If he accepts the position, he will leave Taunton after about six years in the school system. Prior, Scully was the Taunton High School headmaster and a Latin and English teacher. He has also taught in the Brockton Public Schools, Coyle and Cassidy, and a school in the Bronx, New York.

Scully has a bachelor's degree from Harvard and master’s and doctoral degrees in theater history from Tufts University.

Following the searches, Hackett said the options were to bring in an interim headmaster for the year or find and recruit a candidate. School Committee Chairperson Lisa Fiske Heger said Scully was interviewed by the search committee and received a unanimous vote of approval.

Hackett cited Scully’s great range of experience, including his time at the district level as part of the reason why he thinks the potential Braintree headmaster is a good fit.

"He’s a teacher first, and he never wants to lose touch with the classroom. He is excited beyond excited to come to Braintree," Hackett said.

In an interesting turn of events, Scully will now work for the husband of his current boss. Outgoing Taunton Superintendent Julie Hackett is married to Frank Hackett.

Scully is not officially the headmaster yet. The offer is pending successful contract negotiations. Hackett said Scully's start date depends on when he wraps up his obligations in Taunton.

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