The School Committee narrowed its search for a new superintendent of schools last night, selecting three finalists from a pool of six semifinalists.
Following a round of balloting where each of the seven committee members voted for three candidates, James R. Savage, 53—principal of Junior High School North for 13 years—placed second with six votes.
(Photo: 1983 TIOT)
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Joining Savage as finalists are William J. Birmingham, 47, assistant superintendent of Arlington schools, who placed first with seven votes, and Nora M. Walker, 52, a school administrator from Warwick, Rhode Island, who received four votes.
Eliminated from contention were Armand A. Fusco, a consultant and former Hadley superintendent (three votes); Edmond P. Donlon, superintendent of the North Middlesex Regional school (one vote); and Vernon R. Wyland, superintendent of schools in Cazenovia, New York, who received no votes after failing to appear for scheduled interviews. Committee members supporting Savage—dubbed “the local boy” by Chairman Joseph M. Pentowski—argued that his extensive local track record as a teacher, department head, and principal outweighed his lack of a doctorate degree and central administrative experience. Committee member Roger M. Pelletier emphasized, “He’s got firsthand experience with the children in the school system… Being well-known in the town and having a good rapport with the committee is important.” Charles C. Saraca echoed the sentiment, while Richard W. Kief cast the lone dissenting vote against Savage, stating he preferred candidates holding doctorates and central office experience.
Top-ranked finalist Birmingham earned praise from Pentowski as a “strong leader” with a clear objective-driven mindset, while Kief commended his collaborative reputation and front-line experience. Walker was similarly lauded by Saraca and Pentowski as a tireless worker with a strong ability to build consensus—a crucial trait as the board looks for a leader capable of guiding a major high school rehabilitation project through town meeting. The committee scheduled second-round interviews and site visits for the upcoming week, with Walker interviewed at 8:30 p.m. Monday at the Willett School, Birmingham meeting the committee at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, and Savage interviewed at 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, ahead of a final appointment scheduled for a week away.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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