Hingham Superintendent Search Down To 4 Finalists

HINGHAM, MA — The school district's search for a new superintendent has narrowed to four finalists, the superintendent's office announced Monday. Current Superintendent Dorothy Galo is retiring following the 2018-19 school year.

The four finalists are:

• Paul Austin - Waldo County, Maine superintendent
• Jamie LaBillois - Hingham assistant superintendent
• Earl Metzler - New Hampshire superintendent for schools in Atkinson, Danville, Hampstead, Plaistow and Sandown
• Donna Straight - North Andover assistant superintendent

A screening committee was appointed by the school committee, which spent the last month reviewing 19 applications.

"Over the past four weeks, the screening committee met on several occasions to understand the search process, formulate insightful questions, review applications, and interview candidates for the position of Superintendent of Schools," screening committee chair Liza O’Reilly said in a press release.

The goal of the screening committee was to narrow down that field to a more manageable number, as all interviews with the school committee must be done during their open meetings.

The next step, according to the screening committee is for the four finalists to visit the district's schools and meet office staff, faculty, community members and students. The school committee will also conduct interviews in December and hopes to have the position filled by January. The screening committee and school committee are holding a public joint meeting this Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

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