Brookline Launches Superintendent Search With Survey Request

BROOKLINE, MA — The Brookline School Committee officially launched the search for a permanent superintendent and is asking for the community's input on what it hopes to see in a new leader for the district.

The committee tasked with making a recommendation to the School Committee sent a letter to the community asking for people to participate in an anonymous online survey.

"In an effort to solicit input from as many of our stakeholders as possible, the Superintendent Search Committee invites your participation in an online survey to help guide us through the selection of our next superintendent," the group said in letter to the community.

The Superintendent Search Public Advisory Committee is made up of School Committee members Helen Charlupski, who will chair the committee, alongside Dimitry Anselme, Suzanne Federspiel and David Pearlman. The School Committee said that a list of community members who will serve alongside them is still being finalized.

"We value your input and shall use it anonymously to better understand the needs, goals, and aspirations of our communities," they wrote. "This survey will also help us identify the attributes sought in our next district leader.

The committee is asking that participants complete the survey by Jan. 7. The hope is to have a permanent superintendent in place by July 1.

The district has not had a permanent leader since Superintendent Andrew Bott abruptly stepped down in 2019. Dr. James Marini has been in the position since the summer and is set to lead the district until July. The previous Interim superintendent was Ben Lummis, a former district administrator.

In March last year as Interim Superintendent Ben Lummis's term was set to expire, the School Committee announced plans to restart the search process and hire an interim superintendent for the 2020-21 academic year before reopening the search for a permanent superintendent in the fall. The past two searches for interim have not garnered many applicants.

Previously the Brookline School Committee decided to specifically not allow anyone who took the interim position to apply for the permanent position.

The superintendent would oversee a staff of approximately 1,600, supported by $115 million budget. Check out the job description.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.