Pembroke Superintendent Pegged for Braintree Post

On the day that Braintree Superintendent Maureen Murray entered retirement, the Braintree school committee possibly selected her successor.

After interviewing two finalists at Braintree High School, Pembroke Superintendent Dr. Frank Hackett was chosen by the committee in a 5-2 preliminary vote, allowing the committee to narrow the field to one, continue with background checks, and enter into negotiations.

George Kokoros and Cyril Chafe voted for the other finalist, Dover-Sherborn Superintendent Steven Bliss.

Noting the similarities between Pembroke and Braintree, committee members were impressed with the way Hackett was able to manage a tough budget period and his experience campaigning for a $1.3 million Proposition 2 1/2 override and a debt exclusion to pay for new roofs for four of the district’s schools.

After the vote, Chafe said he voted for Bliss because he felt his work ethic and hands-on approach provided a better fit for the school district.

The decision continues what has been an expedited process. After the first search was halted in April, Hackett; Bliss; and a third candidate expressed interest in coming to Braintree through the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents according to Chairman David Ringius.

Bliss said he wanted to apply for the job during the first search but felt that the timing was bad due to a budget crisis in Pembroke.

A final vote to finalize the decision is expected in mid-July.

If Bliss accepts an offer to become Braintree’s next superintendent, he is expected to start sometime in the fall. Until then, Dr. Peter Kurzberg will serve as the interim superintendent.