I was greatly dismayed and disappointed listening to the Select Board’s discussion regarding the process of filling the town administrator position. I am disappointed that the Select Board would not even consider issuing a request for proposals for assistance from a search firm.
I was on the School Committee when we were filling the superintendent position following the retirement of Mihran Keoseian. The committee was told that smart, savvy candidates don’t apply for jobs that do not use a consultant for several reasons: low confidence that the process is truly open, low expectations that the evaluation of the application will be objective, and poor opinion of the district—not willing to invest in finding the best leadership indicates a district that is not willing to do the best for the schools. In addition, a search firm can expand the pool of qualified candidates because they have access to individuals who may not be actively looking but would consider a move for the right fit.
I urge the Select Board to take the appropriate and necessary steps to find the best leader for the town.
Sharon McCarthy
East Bare Hill Road
