Two Remain in Norwood Superintendent Search

NORWOOD, MA — Two candidates for the superintendent position will take part in site visits and another meeting with the school committee.

The committee voted Monday night to move forward with Weston Superintendent Robert Tremblay and Blackstone/Melville Regional School District Superintendent David Thompson. The other three finalists were Jodi Fortuna, the superintendent of the Hudson Public Schools; Mary Savage Brown, the principal of the Baker Elementary School in Brookline and daughter of former Norwood Superintendent James Savage; and Patricia Kinsella, the assistant superintendent of the Lincoln Public Schools.

An amendment to move forward with Brown failed 2-3. Lisa Igoe and Michele Eysie Mullen voted for the amendment.

Committee members praised Tremblay for his research on the school district, including reading school improvement plans and watching past school committee meetings.

“I felt he did his homework and had a good sense,” Myev Bodenhofer said.

Committee member Patrick McDonough called Thompson a candidate that’s “very focused in on certain issues that met the qualification for next superintendent.”

Brown brought up the most debate of the three candidates that did not move on to the next phase. Mullen noted that the Baker School principal was only looking at the Norwood position, calleing her the crème de la crème

“Mary will not fail, she’s into this. She’ll be here 150 hours a week and surround herself with supportive people,” Mullen said.

Chairman James Gormley, who backed Thompson and Fortuna, wondered if Brown would be a good fit.

Next up are site visits for the remaining two candidates.

Image: File Photo