Superintendent of Schools Vacancy
The Salem Public Schools is actively seeking experienced, qualified candidates for the position of Superintendent of
Schools, effective July 1, 2020. The Salem School Committee has engaged The Collins Center for Public Management
at the University of Massachusetts Boston to assist the district with this search process.
The Salem Public Schools (SPS) is a PK-12 school district with 3,718 students; district has one early childhood center,
six elementary and K-8 schools, one middle school, and three high schools. The district has 708.4 FTE staff, including
338.5 FTE teachers. The SPS student population is 48.2% economically disadvantaged, 62.9% high needs, 23.6%
students with disabilities, and 12.5% English language learners*
Salem’s next Superintendent will lead a system that has begun the implementation of its 2017-2022 Strategic Plan that is
built on four pillars of success: creating a vibrant K-12 teaching and learning ecosystem, nurturing staff leadership and
empowerment, reimagining the high school experience, and strengthening family and community engagement. The
district is well resourced with their average per pupil expenditure in the top 23% of all school districts in Massachusetts
school funding ($18,650.25). The success of the Strategic Plan will require the new Superintendent to create and sustain
the conditions for success: providing effective internal and external communications, leveraging the excellent resources
(both human and financial) of the district, advancing equitable and innovative policies at both the school and district
level, and creating a healthy school and district climate and culture.
The qualifications for this position include: a minimum of a Master’s degree (Doctorate preferred) in Administration,
Education, or related field; successful administrative leadership experience and demonstrated leadership skills,
preferably in an education setting; demonstrated understanding of Massachusetts General Law and Massachusetts
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) policies and procedures; and possession of a DESE license
as Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent or eligibility for such license.
The Salem Public Schools is offering a competitive compensation and benefits package for this leadership position,
commensurate with experience and qualifications. The start date for the successful candidate will be July 1, 2020. If
interested in this leadership position, please email a letter of interest, resume, and three letters of reference to Dr.
Edward Gotgart, Collins Center for Public Management, UMass Boston, at Salemsuperintendentsearch@gmail.com.
Please note that applicants should not contact Salem School Committee members. For more information about the
district, please check their website at: https://www.salemk12.org/. For further inquiries, please feel free to contact the
Collins Center search consultant, Dr. Edward Gotgart at Edward.Gotgart@umb.edu.
The application deadline for this position is December 20, 2019 at 4:00 pm.
*DESE 2018-2019