School Committee Appoints New Superintendent

This fall, Pembroke Superintendent Dr. Frank Hackett will become the superintendent of the Braintree Public Schools.

The school committee voted Tuesday night to offer a three-year contract to Hackett, who was chosen as the committee’s top pick for the post in June.

“We’re ready for a new leader for the Braintree Public Schools,” committee Chairman David Ringius said. “I look forward with working with (Hackett) towards the betterment and advancement of the Braintree Public Schools.”

Hackett will make $189,000 in his first year and will receive a three percent raise in the second and third years. He is scheduled to start in Braintree by Oct. 1, 2015.

The vote ends what has been a long process to find the successor for the recently retired Maureen Murray. After the initial search was terminated in April, Hackett was one of three candidates initially interviewed during a second search. The Pembroke superintendent was chosen after a public interview last month at Braintree High School.

“In reopening the process and having a chance to chat with you and doing some background, I think we’ve found the right person to lead us. I know you had great affection for Pembroke, but I know your affection will grow for Braintree,” Mayor Joseph Sullivan said to Hackett prior to the vote.

In his remarks after the vote, Hackett said that a meeting with longtime and current interim Superintendent Peter Kurzberg sparked his interest in coming to Braintree, noting that he was impressed by the team put together by Kurzberg.

Prior to starting in Braintree, Hackett will spend time in the school district getting familiar with the town and staff while assisting with the transition in Pembroke.