'Gansett Eyes Local Guy For Top Job

'Gansett Eyes Local Guy For Top Job Gardner School Business Manager Chris Casavant one of two finalists for superintendent post

+ click to enlarge TGN file photo Chris Casavant Tara Vocino Reporter TEMPLETON  The Narragansett Regional Super­intendent Search Com­mittee has selected two finalists to follow interim Super­intendent Dr. Steve Hemman’s footsteps at the end of the school year. Dr. Christopher D. Casavant, of Winchen­don, and Dr. Stephen Donovan, of North Dartmouth, are the finalists to become the next superintendent of schools. The School Com­mittee voted unanimously and by roll call to bring them back for subsequent interviews. Mr. Casavant has worked as the school business administrator in Gardner since 2012. He was also the principal of Gardner Middle School from 2007 to 2012. Mr. Casavant earned a doctorate of education in educational leadership from Boston College in 2012. Mr. Casavant said he applied for the position to replace Dr. Carol Daring as superintendent in Gardner a few years ago, but was not selected for the position. Mr. Donovan has worked as the superintendent of schools in Acushnet since July 2006. He was also the principal of Albert F. Ford Middle School in Acushnet from August 2004 to June 2006. Mr. Donovan earned a doctorate of education in educational leadership from Northeastern University in January 2015. According to Search Committee Chairwoman Rae Ann Trifilo, the committee met four times to review and interview 12 candidates. They developed a series of questions with categories such as: Why Narragansett, and Why Now?, School Safety, Special Education and Rural Districts. “The Search Committee worked diligently, did their homework and asked good questions to the candidates,” Ms. Trifilo said. “We’re quite pleased with the results.” Members of the Search Committee include: Ms. Trifilo, Vikki Chartier, Margaret Hughes, Marjorie Chase, Diane Haley Brooks, Linda Qualters, John Beary, Brian Rosengren, Mike Wakefield and John Columbus. Glenn Koocher of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees was also present in several meetings. The next steps are for Mr. Casavant and Mr. Donovan to do site visits at Narragansett, and School Committee members will also do site visits at their school district. Ms. Trifilo said the School Committee will also conduct reference checks on Mr. Casavant and Mr. Donovan. She said the time line to do site visits will be as timely as possible. “We don’t want to hold them or their future up,” Ms. Trifilo said. “We’re not married to a deadline, but we have two final candidates who are now publicly engaged in a search.” According to the organizational meeting minutes, candidates had five minutes per question during a 75-minute interview.