Marblehead High To Launch Principal Search As Bauer Heads To Danvers

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead High School's loss is Danvers Public Schools' gain after MHS Principal Dan Bauer was chosen as the next Danvers superintendent last week.

The Danvers School Committee voted unanimously to select Bauer out of a field of three finalists at its meeting on Jan. 9. Bauer will move up the North Shore to his new post effective July 1 — pending successful contract negotiations.

"Dan has worked hard to take this step in his career, and while it represents a tremendous loss to our community, we celebrate the achievement of his goal to be a superintendent," Marblehead Superintendent John Buckey said. "I cannot overstate how much Dan has done for the high school, our district and the Marblehead community.

"We are fortunate that Dan will remain in his position for the remainder of the school year, giving up ample time to consider a successor."

Buckey said the district will soon outline a search process and timeline to find Bauer's successor.

The offer to Bauer culminates a yearlong process in Danvers to find a new permanent superintendent after former superintendent Lisa Dana went on medical leave in December 2021 and then retired this past summer.

"The Danvers community is excited to welcome Mr. Bauer to the district," said School Committee member Robin Doherty, who served as co-chair of the Search Committee, along with School Committee member Alice Campbell. "All of our finalists were extremely strong. The Committee made its decision based on feedback from all community stakeholders and the fall superintendent qualifications community survey.

"The Committee is confident that Mr. Bauer will help the district to move forward in a positive way and rebuild trust and relationships."

Bauer came to Marblehead in 2016 after being the vice principal at Beverly High School for a decade. He also previously taught social studies at Masconomet Regional.

He earned degrees at the University of Pennsylvania, Tufts University and Endicott College, and is currently a doctoral candidate at Northeastern University.

"We are confident that Dan is the leader we need in Danvers," Campbell said. "He impressed us through the process with his exceptional interpersonal skills, ability to build strong working relationships, and outstanding leadership skills.

"His student-first approach will deliver high academic standards and results for our district. He will rebuild relationships and trust with our community, and will have a positive effect across Danvers."

Danvers Acting Superintendent Mary Wermers will continue in that role through the end of the school year.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza)