Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. Matthew D’Andrea has been offered the job as the next superintendent of schools in Wareham.
Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. Matthew D’Andrea has been selected by the Wareham school committee to be the next superintendent of schools in Wareham.
The unanimous vote by the school committee took place Thursday night, according to a story in Wareham Week Friday morning.
Mr. D’Andrea was one of two finalists for the job. He will begin work July 1, according to the report.
Mr. D’Andrea has led the Vineyard school system since 2015, when he was hired to replace retiring superintendent James Weiss. When the news surfaced last month that he was a finalist for the Wareham job, he said it was the only job he had applied for, and if he was not selected he would stay on the Island.
He previously taught in Wareham, and cited his familiarity with and love for the community there.
Speaking to the Gazette by phone Friday, Mr. D’Andrea said he was happy to be offered the job.
I’m excited about the opportunity,” he said. “The Island is a wonderful community — I’ll always feel a connection to it.”
He said he still needs to negotiate a contract with Wareham, but confirmed that July 1 is his expected start date there.
Regional high school district committee chairman Amy Houghton praised the outgoing superintendent.
“I wish Matt all the best,” Ms. Houghton told the Gazette by phone. “I think he was a great support to staff and students and families during a very difficult number of years. And we will miss him.”
Ms. Houghton said the next steps will be determined by the all-Island school committee, which hires the superintendent and negotiates collective bargaining contracts for the public schools.
Updated to include comments from Mr. D’Andrea.
Comments
Is this a better position
Jim EdgartownIs this a better position than MV? Why can't we keep people?
Not having to deal with O B
Tony B EdgartownNot having to deal with O B might be one big reason?
With the transient nature of
Bob EdgartownWith the transient nature of the VINEYARD in general as well as the country it said he had been in the job for seven years which seems about normal. Change is good for everyone involved keep it fresh. Good luck to the outgoing and good luck to the incoming.
Change in leadership is
Jane MVChange in leadership is healthy. Much is changing in education and in the island population. New ideas and new skill sets are going to be important to support and embrace as we move forward. As someone who was raised here and now has children in our school system, we should be thinking and acting more as one district for the betterment of our students. We could provide them with so much more if we could just grow together as an island community and better share the resources and responsibilities.
This is a cogent comment. We
Nancy EdgartownThis is a cogent comment. We need stronger collaboration between the community groups and between the professionals within it. Education is undergoing changes as we move toward, for example, science-based reading programs in other parts of the country. We owe the dynamic population on the island of many cultures, many backgrounds, informed educational practice that we all can pull together!
The All-Island School
Frederick Rundlet TisburyThe All-Island School Committee should consider applicants for this position that will advocate for a Middle School on the campus of the high school. This would foster better educational opportunities for our young students as well as freeing up more space in our elementary schools for future growth.
Yes! I agree completely.
Jane MVYes! I agree completely.
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