The School Committee has outlined the way residents, students, staff, teachers, parents and others can help evaluate and vet Assistant Superintendent Amy Pasquarello for a promotion to be the Gloucester schools next superintendent.
The committee is proposing to promote Pasquarello, who has worked in her role since October 2022 and is the former principal of the old East Gloucester School. Superintendent Ben Lummis announced his plans to retire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year after six years on the job.
Individuals interested in volunteering for the various interview panels can sign up by going to the gloucesterschools.com homepage where there will be a link to do so.
“This process will be comprehensive and transparent, with multiple opportunities for stakeholders to participate and provide meaningful feedback,” School Committee Chair Kathy Clancy wrote in a letter to families and staff on behalf of the committee.
Clancy said this process includes:
– Soliciting stakeholder panels participation: Teachers and staff, students, parents/guardians/community members, and district and city administrators
– A community meet-and-greet
– Stakeholder panel interviews
– A School Committee public interview
– School Committee deliberation and vote
Stakeholder panel participation
Beginning Monday, Sept. 29, the School Committee will be accepting volunteers interested in serving on the stakeholder interview panels, Clancy said.
Panelists will ask questions and provide feedback on the candidate, which will be shared with the School Committee. Attendees will also have the opportunity to provide feedback.
By volunteering, participants commit to being available at the time designated for their stakeholder group:
– Teachers and staff: Monday, Oct. 27, at 3:30 p.m.
– School and city administration: Monday, Oct. 27, at 6 p.m.
– Students: Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 3:30 p.m.
– Parents/guardians/community members: Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m.
Community meet-and-greet
Members of the school community are invited to attend a community meet-and-greet with Pasquarello on Tuesday, Oct. 21, during two available times: 3:30 and 6 p.m.
“This informal gathering will provide an opportunity for the public to meet the candidate and engage in conversation. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback,” Clancy said.
Final stages
The School Committee plans to consider feedback from the interview panels and meet-and-greet. The committee will hold a public interview on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m., followed by a meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m. to deliberate and vote.
If the School Committee does not approve the candidate, planning for an external search would commence, Clancy said.
“Our shared goal is to select the best leader for Gloucester Public Schools,” she said. “We believe this inclusive and transparent process will support a smooth and successful leadership transition, benefiting our students, staff, and the entire GPS community.”
Ethan Forman may be contacted at 978-675-2714, or at eforman@northofboston.com.