Palmer the Finalist for the Weston Superintendent Job

A survey by a consultant for the Weston Board of Education found its residents want a new superintendent of schools with experience at a high performing district, a doctorate degree, an understanding of classroom issues, budgets and team building, and a good communicator with strong fiscal management skills. Most of all, Westonites want a “visionary.”

The search committee tapped Monroe Supt. of Schools Dr. Colleen Palmer as the right fit for the job. She is the finalist to succeed Jerome Blair, who resigned in February to lead the Waterford School District.

When reached on Friday, Palmer declined to comment at this time.

The Weston School District issued a press release on its superintendent search late Friday afternoon:

The Weston Board of Education has been engaged in a diligent search for a new Superintendent following the community and staff focus groups that were conducted earlier this year. After several interviews, the Board has identified Dr. Colleen Palmer, Superintendent of the Monroe Public Schools, as the finalist for the position. Dr. Palmer’s candidacy is subject to a satisfactory site visit, background check, and formal appointment by the Board.

The Board would have preferred to have announced Dr. Palmer’s successful candidacy following the completion of the necessary due diligence. However, the rapid, unintended spread of information in Monroe has made Dr. Palmer’s status as our finalist common knowledge there.

Philip Schaefer, Chairman of the Board of Education, stated: “We are very excited to have identified Dr. Palmer as our finalist. Dr. Palmer is an experienced and dynamic educational leader, and we are fortunate to have such an outstanding candidate for Superintendent. We are looking forward to the successful completion of our due diligence and Dr. Palmer’s official appointment.”

Palmer was hired as Monroe's superintendent of Schools when Alan Beitman left to accept the job at another district in 2008.

Longtime assistant superintendent, Charles "Richard" Canfield recently accepted the superintendent of schools job in Sandwich, Mass.