By Stacie N. Galang
PEABODY — Assistant Superintendent Joseph Mastrocola is one of five finalists for superintendent of Groton Dunstable, a regional school district of 2,814 students and 180 teachers.
The district's School Committee selected Mastrocola as a finalist Jan. 27 and interviewed him publicly Monday night, according to a press release.
"I want to be a superintendent. That's my goal," Mastrocola said yesterday afternoon. "The Peabody public schools prepared me for that."
Mastrocola is being considered for the top administrator's post along with Boxborough Superintendent and Curriculum Director Curtis Bates, Carlisle Superintendent Marie Doyle, Tantasqua Regional Associate Superintendent Theodore Friend, and Quaboag Regional Assistant Superintendent Elizabeth Zielinski.
The Groton Dunstable School Committee plans to conduct site visits after February vacation and expects to make a decision at its March 3 meeting, the press release said.
Peabody picked Mastrocola to become its assistant superintendent in April 2007, and he started the job that July. He is the longest-serving assistant superintendent in recent memory. Four assistant superintendents came and left between 2002 and 2007, including Judy DeLucia, who served in Peabody from 2002 until 2004.
The job had been eliminated the five years prior to DeLucia's hire.
Mastrocola said he is at the point in his career to seek other opportunities that suit his skills.
"The experience and the relationships I have devolved here have helped develop me as a solid school administrator," he said. "I love working here. I love the community. I love these people."
The assistant superintendent said if hired as Groton Dunstable's superintendent, he planned to stay in Peabody until his three-year contract ends June 30. His annual pay is $100,500, according to his contract.
Mastrocola was one of 30 applicants to the regional school district and one of 13 to be interviewed, according to the press release.
Groton Dunstable is a district of six schools, including a middle and high school. The district has a $35.9 million budget, according to the district's Web site.
Pay for the position was listed at between $150,000 to $165,000.
