The search to find a superintendent of schools for Boston may take longer than officials there had hoped, after three of the five candidates reported to be on the search committee’s short list withdrew.
Manuel J. Rivera, who is the superintendent in Rochester, N.Y.; Mary Grassa O’Neill, a former schools chief in Milton, Mass., who runs a principal-training program at Harvard University; and Arlene Ackerman, who left San Francisco’s top post this year, have all dropped out, The Boston Globe reported last week.
The remaining finalists were identified as Nancy J. McGinley, the chief academic officer in Charleston County, S.C., and Deborah A. Sims, the chief of K-12 operations in the San Francisco Unified School District.
Jonathan Palumbo, a spokesman for the district, said in a July 6 e-mail that the search was still in a confidential stage, and that the search committee hoped to announce finalists soon.
Boston school officials had hoped to announce a new chief before Thomas W. Payzant retired on June 30. Michael Contompasis, who was the district’s chief operating officer, is serving as the interim superintendent. (“Plenty of Advice Awaits Boston Schools’ Next Leader,” this issue.)
