Marblehead's Nan Murphy Named Dedham Superintendent Of Schools

MARBLEHEAD, MA — For the second time in two weeks the Marblehead Public Schools learned it will have a significant leadership position to fill before the next academic year.

After the Danvers School Committee chose Marblehead High Principal Dan Bauer as its next superintendent of schools on Jan. 9, Marblehead Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Nan Murphy was the choice to lead the Dedham school district in a unanimous school committee vote.

"Three years ago, Nan withdrew as a finalist in a superintendent search to take the role as assistant superintendent for us here in Marblehead," Marblehead Superintendent John Buckey said in his weekly newsletter to families. "I am daily grateful for that decision and feel blessed to have had her shared leadership in our learning community. She has had a positive and a measurable impact on our district."

The Dedham School Committee said Murphy "emphasized her commitment to collaborative leadership, student-centric approach, and experience building culturally inclusive school communities."

"Her vision for the district, her background in school and student outcome improvements, and her emphasis on creating a positive, education-first, equitable learning environment for all members of our community distinguished her from a strong group of candidates," Dedham School Committee Chair Melissa Pearrow said.

Murphy came to Marblehead from Lowell, where she was a high school principal for six years.

Murphy will begin her new job in Dedham in July, pending successful contract negotiations.

(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.)