Watertown School Committee Picks Fitzgerald as the New Superintendent

The Superintendent Search Committee revealed its list of finalists for the Watertown superintendency and there was just one name on the list – Jean Fitzgerald.

Monday night, the School Committee voted unanimously to start contract negotiations to make Fitzgerald, the assistant superintendent who has served as interim superintendent since July, the next head of the Watertown Public Schools.

"I'm very excited," said Fitzgerald, who barely had time to celebrate before going into a school budget and curriculum meeting.

The district received 26 applicants, and the Search Committee invited six to come in for first interviews, said School Committee member Michael Shepard, who was chairman of the search group.

Most of the candidates came from Massachusetts, but came from as far as Texas, Shepard said. Some had experience with large school districts with large budgets and others had political experience. Shepard said he will not reveal the names of the other candidates because they were confidential.

The search committee heard from parents, teachers and residents that certain qualities should be sought in a superintendent, said School Committee member David Leon, including knowing Watertown, understand the town, be able to build good relationships, have strong communication and interpersonal skills, and be available to parents.

"Dr. Fitzgerald was the one who best met the needs of the commuinty and was the best fit for Watertown at this time," Leon said.

Town Council President Mark Sideris, who also sits on the School Committee, applauded the choice.

"I am very pleased with the job Dr. Fitzgerald has done," Sideris said. "She has had a positive impact since she has been interim superintendent. It shows she really wants to be here and stay here."

The planned superintendent search called for multiple finalists who would visit the district and have public interviews. Shepard said when the Search Committee did a straw poll, after talking to all six candidates, Fitzgerald was at the top of everyone's list.

While Search Committee members thought they might bring multiple finalists forward, in this case bringing only one finalist forward was the right choice, Shepard said.

"The search committee had the task of reviewing candidates and making a recommendation," Shepard said. "It could be one candidate, multiple or it could have been none at all."

School Committee Vice Chairman John Portz said he had hoped for more than one, but he supports Fitzgerald.

"I would have preferred more than one finalist come forward, but I understand the dynamics," Portz said. "I do think Jean Fitzgerald is a very strong candidate."

Debra King, president of the Watertown Educators Association, served on the search committee and was pleased by the choice. Teachers have had trying relations with the administration, because they have been working without a contract for more than a year and a half, but King said Fitzgerald has already helped make amends.

"She is a perfect fit for Watertown," King said. "She has done a terrific job repairing relations and I am looking forward to working with her."