HEMMAN IS RETURNING TO 'GANSETT

HEMMAN IS RETURNING TO 'GANSETT
FORMER DISTRICT BOSS WHO RETIRED IN 2008 INKS AN INTERIM CONTRACT
Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer

The Narragansett Regional School District will have a new administrator at its helm come July 1, as Dr. Stephen Hemman has signed a contract to become the official interim superintendent for the next year.

“I’m very much looking forward to this,” Mr. Hemman told the School Committee on Wednesday night.

Committee member Margaret Hughes explained the terms of the contract, which would see Mr. Hemman leading the district from July 1 to June 30 next year. Because of regulations surrounding retirement salary restrictions, compensation will be set at $115,400 divided into two, sixmonth portions.

“We put a provision on there that if we did go out and search for a new superintendent and find someone willing to start earlier, we’ll negotiate with Mr. Hemman on how that transition will happen,” Ms. Hughes said.

Mr. Hemman served as top administrator for eight years before retiring in 2008. Since then, he has held a teaching position at Fitchburg State and was named executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools. He stated that he intends to resign from a number of positions, leaving himself totally committed to Narragansett come September.

Returning to Narragansett, Mr. Hemman said his top priority is keeping the district on a steady course, maintaining the level and quality of academics and programming while also looking for areas of improvement. During his term, Mr. Hemman will also help steer the search committee tasked with interviewing and hiring a permanent superintendent.

In working on a smooth transition plan with current Superintendent Ruth Miller, Mr. Hemman said he has visited with staff members — many of whom were working during his previous tenure.

“I was nice to see everyone,” he commented, adding that he’s looking forward to working with John Jasinski, who also left the district in 2008 only to return as interim high school principal for next year.

“I think people know me and trust me,” Mr. Hemman said.

Ms. Miller tendered her resignation earlier this month after being selected as the next superintendent for the Pioneer Valley Regional School District.