Mary Czajkowski Selected as Barnstable's Next Superintendent

Last night at a special meeting at Town Hall, the Barnstable school committee selected Mary Czajkowski as the next superintendent of Barnstable schools.

Czajkowski, who is the current superintendent of Agawam Public Schools, was coincidentally in Hyannis when she received the news.

“I was at an awards ceremony at the Sheraton,” said an excited Czajkowski, as she strolled into Town Hall to meet with school committee members. The school committee seemed happily surprised by her visit.

The decision had been a long time in the making. The process began on November 17 when Barnstable contracted with the Cape Cod Collaborative Center for Executive Search. Two months later, a pool of 26 applicants had been narrowed down to seven highly qualified candidates - all seven are current superintendents.

Out of the seven, Frank Hacket, Middleton McGoodwin, and Mary Czajkowski were selected to interview last week with select members of the school committee. Hacket, who is the current Pembroke superintendent, then chose to withdraw as a candidate.

This past week members of the school committee visited McGoodwin and Czajkowski at their respective districts.

At Marshfield, chairman Patrick Murphy and Barnstable assistant superintendent Marie McKay met with a variety of people to get a better sense of the impact McGoodwin has had on the district.

The school committee duo was impressed by the positive changes, stability, and consistency McGoodwin had brought to Marshfield. According to Murphy, McGoodwin has solid relationships with the town of Marshfield, is kind and hardworking.

“He just oozes energy,” recalled Murphy.

Murphy and fellow committee member Margeaux Weber also visited Czajkowski in Agawam. Both Murphy and Weber were very impressed by the reputation Czajkowski has throughout her district.

Murphy and Weber even spoke with a reverend, and Roberta Doering who has served on the Agawam school committee for 40 years. According to Murphy, Doering referred to Czajkowski as “the best superintendent she’s ever had.”

Murphy and Weber discovered that Czajkowski has on numerous occasions gone “above and beyond” her tole as superintendent to be supportive for her students and to provide each individual student the tools they need to be successful.

Francis McDonald added that Czajkowski has also developed creative solutions to difficult problems.

According to McDonald, a population of Agawam students who live in the same apartment complex were having academic difficulties. After unsuccessful attempts at getting this particular group of students involved in after school programs, Czajkowski worked out a deal with the owner of the apartments to erect a special study room with tutoring support at the complex.

“That drive to go the extra mile certainly speaks volumes of the type of character and commitment she has,” said McDonald.

Barnstable officials are confident with the decision to hire Czajkowski, however they explained that all three finalists were qualified to be the next Barnstable superintendent. School officials spoke highly of the thorough search and interview process used to find and select some of the finest administrators in the area, and thanked all those involved in the process.

The date of Czajkowski’s first day on the job is yet to be determined, however she already has a plan for her first 90 days in office. Finding a new home here in Barnstable is on the top of Czajkowski’s list.