The meeting’s primary focus was the superintendent search, with a presentation by Alicia Malin from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC), who is aiding the district in this significant hiring process. Malin reported that the screening committee, comprised of 19 members, had reviewed 24 applications, an increase from previous searches, signaling strong interest in the position. The screening process, conducted in executive sessions in compliance with Massachusetts general law, resulted in the unanimous selection of four candidates to advance to the next round of interviews.

Each finalist’s qualifications were carefully considered, with all candidates holding the necessary certification for a superintendent position in Massachusetts. Following Malin’s presentation, the Littleton School Committee voted unanimously to accept the proposed candidates.

Moving beyond candidate selection, the committee addressed the logistics of the upcoming interviews, scheduled from March 30 through April 2. Each candidate will participate in a structured day of activities, starting with tours of district schools and interactions with various stakeholders. The format includes a 9:00 AM start at the central office, lunch with the district administrative council, and multiple forums for district staff and community members to engage with the candidates.

The committee stressed the importance of community feedback, which will be gathered through an online survey available until April 6. This initiative aims to incorporate diverse perspectives into the decision-making process.

Additionally, the committee deliberated on the format of candidate dinners, ultimately deciding on a hybrid approach. This model involves a short dinner session with school committee members and high school students, followed by time for candidates to prepare for their interviews. This arrangement seeks to balance candidate comfort with opportunities for meaningful interaction.

In the realm of interview preparation, the committee focused on developing equitable questions. Members agreed to create questions based on five priority topics identified from stakeholder feedback: student well-being, collaboration, community culture, financial understanding, and lifelong learning. Malin emphasized the importance of asking the same questions to all candidates to ensure fairness, a practice supported by the committee despite its perceived rigidity compared to private sector processes.

The committee also addressed the reference-checking process, opting to utilize MASC’s services for managing this task.

Towards the meeting’s conclusion, there was a brief discussion about disbanding the superintendent search committee, with members deciding to defer the vote to a future meeting.