Narragansett Vets Second Finalist

Narragansett Vets Second Finalist Acushnet superintendent seeks top job

+ click to enlarge News staff photo by Tara Vocino Guidance counselor Krisann Stancombe told superintendent applicant Stephen R. Donovan that Narragansett students are accepted into competitive colleges, even with a reduced staff. + click to enlarge News staff photo by Tara Vocino Superintendent applicant Step­hen R. Donovan is entering his 10th year as superintendent of schools in Acushnet. Tara Vocino ReporterTEMPLETON  Narragansett Regional School District superintendent applicant Stephen R. Donovan met with about 15 teachers during his site visit in the Narragansett Regional High School library on Friday. The choice is down two final candidates, with Gardner School Business Administrator Chris Casavant having been informally interviewed on Monday. Mr. Donovan began his day at 9:30 a.m. at the central office, met the central office personnel, principals, visited the schools with interim Superintendent Dr. Stephen R. Hemman, and met with staff in the afternoon and met with parents and community members at night. Mr. Donovan has served as the Acushnet superintendent of schools since 2006. He earned a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from Northeastern University earlier this year. Teachers across the district had the opportunity to ask questions to Mr. Donovan. He, in turn, asked questions about their expectations of their new superintendent. He began the round-table discussion by introducing himself and talking about what draws him to the Templeton area. He said the position would provide him an opportunity to advance professionally. He said Acushnet is a rural community in southeastern Massachusetts with a smaller school district with about 975 students. Narragansett has about 1,300 students, he added. Since the commute would be an hour and a half, he said he would absolutely relocate. He joked that he likes to ski and Wachusett Mountain Ski Resort is nearby. Guidance counselor Krisann Stancombe asked about his plans to stay long-term. “No one wants to hire a superintendent who will leave in two years,” Ms. Stancombe said. “And how active in the student body will you be?” Mr. Donovan replied, “I’ve been in Acushnet for 18 years,” he said. “I’m not the type who bounces around. If I come to this community, it’s important to be out and about as well as visible. No one wants a superintendent who is locked in his office all day.” Ms. Stancombe said the thing to do on Friday nights is for alumni, parents, students, teachers and the superintendent to attend high school sports games. He said he’ll do his best to attend since a one-on-one, communal connection is key. Registrar/data specialist Chelsea Mason asked if he supports the vote to build a new Templeton Elementary School at the Town Meeting on Dec. 8. Mr. Donovan said, “The existing school is old,” he said. “Templeton needs to move forward. Hopefully, it will.” Guidance counselor Patty Weiss asked about fitting into a new community and gaining their trust. “Even though Steve (Hemman) isn’t from around here, he has frugality and practicality,” Ms. Weiss said. “That won him political gain. He’s everywhere.” Mr. Donovan said being open and credible holds any entity together. “If it’s a machine, trust is the lubricant that makes the machine go,” Mr. Donovan said. “It’s very important to be approachable and open.” Mr. Donovan asked, “What is everyone looking for in a superintendent?” Ms. Weiss simply said, “another Dr. Hemman.” He asked staff if they have enough technology. Library media specialist Maegan Powers said, “A lot more technology could be used,” she said. “We have one computer lab for language lab classes, which is constantly booked, especially since it’s shared with the middle and high school students. We have about 10 computers, and the kids have to pair up.” The next step is for the School Committee members to visit the districts of the two finalists.