Former Superintendent Dlott Could Be Interim School Chief in Marlborough

The Marlborough School committee is expected to vote tonight on appointing former Westborough superintendent Steven Dlott as interim superintendent. 

Dlott has served as interim superintendent in the past, having filled that role in Hudson for nearly two years.  Since retiring as Westborough's superintendent in 2005, Dlott has held a number of interim positions, including as Hudson's interim superintendent of schools. He most recently served as an interim principal in Webster. 

The vote was unanimous among those present at the meeting called solely for the purpose of advancing the seach for someone to replace . 

Committee members Katherine Hennessy and Michelle Bodin-Hettinger said everyone they spoke to about Dlott gave him high marks as a consensus building and uniter.

"It struck me that he was someone who had taken the time to learn what was going on in the district. He had looked at the strategic plan," Hennessey said, adding that his career demonstrated he is "someone who understands the importance of relationships."

While several local candidates were in the mix, Marlborough Mayor Arthur KVigeant acknolwledged that he did not want to select anyone who could make political decisions in the city more difficult. "I expect I am going to have to be going back to the City Council to ask for more money and I don't anyone who will be a lightning rod in that situation," he said. 

Dlott was the only candidate named by the committee, other than . 

"He has the qualities we need right now," Vigeant said. "He's a consensus builder and uniter." 

A final decision is expected to be made tonight, July 26.

Dlott earned $180,000 a year while serving as interim in Hudson. Pope had been earning $160,000 before he resigned after weeks of turmoil and protests.  

The committee has not yet laid out a schedule for hiring a permanent superintendent.