by Maxwell Kozlov
UPDATE 11:45 a.m. 12/17:
Principal Jennifer Price will become the superintendent of the North Andover school district starting July 1, 2015, according to the letter she sent out to the community at 11:16 a.m. today.
Here is the letter that Price sent out regarding this change:
Dear North Community:
I am writing let you know that I have chosen to go to North Andover as their next Superintendent of Schools, effective July 1, 2015.
Please know that the Newton North community will always hold a very special place in my heart. Over the last 9 years, I have had the privilege to lead this school through many challenges, opportunities and transitions. I have grown so much as a leader and a person, none of which would have been possible without the support of this amazing community. I am so proud of this school and all the work we have done together to ensure that all students have equal access to the excellent educational experiences within our walls.
I know David Fleishman will be in touch shortly after the holiday break to update you on the search process. He has told me he is eager to move as quickly as possible to ensure that the search for the next principal at Newton North is as thorough and comprehensive as possible.
I look forward to working with our wonderful staff, students and families over the next six months. Thank you, as always, for partnering with me to support the incredible students of Newton North. I hope you enjoy the upcoming break, and Happy New Year.
Best,
Jennifer Price,
Principal
UPDATE 8:07 a.m. 12/16: The North Andover School Committee voted unanimously, 5-0, to select Jennifer Price as superintendent, according to the North Andover Patch. It is unclear if Price will accept the job.
The North Andover School Committee voted yesterday, according to Wicked Local.
Price was up against Nadine Ekstrom, superintendent for Berlin-Boylston Public Schools and Bryan Lane, superintendent of the Hudson Public Schools in New Hampshire.
Winchester, Price’s final district in which she was selected as a finalist for a superintendent position, “aims to make a decision on a finalist by Dec. 17.”
Principal Jennifer Price was not selected as superintendent of the Waltham Public Schools after 36 Waltham school committee votes were cast earlier this evening. Instead, Drew Echelson, a network superintendent in Boston, was selected as Waltham’s next superintendent.
Price, who has been the principal at this school for over eight years, still remains a superintendent finalist for the Winchester and North Andover school districts. Final decisions regarding these districts will be public by winter break, according to Price.
“I’ve always seen my career in a superintendent position,” Price said.
The vote, originally scheduled for last Friday, quickly revealed that the race would be only between Echelson and Waltham High School principal Gregory DeMeo, for Price had only one supporter: school committee member Margaret Donnelly.
Of the 28 initial applicants the search for a new superintendent had yielded, only Price, Echelson, former Marlborough Public Schools superintendent Anthony Pope, and DeMeo were chosen to be interviewed.
The School Committee eliminated Pope after the interviews, leaving only Price, Echelson, and DeMeo.
As part of the process of selecting a superintendent, the school committee visited each of the finalists’ districts. Price also spent time in the districts she is a finalist in, saying she was “getting a feel for the schools.”
“I want to find the right district for me,” Price said. “They’re interviewing me, but at the same time, I’m interviewing them in a sense.”
At the time of the announcement, Price was being interviewed for the Winchester superintendent position.
“If I’m the principal of North at the end of this, I will consider myself very lucky,” she said. “I’m here until July 1, regardless. I’m planning on finishing just as strong as I’ve done.”
Even though Echelson was selected, he must sign a contract with the school committee before his position is official.