By Mike Stucka
Staff Writer
May 11, 2009 05:00 am BOXFORD — The Masconomet School Committee said one of two award-winning administrators could become the next Masconomet superintendent. The School Committee said the two finalists are John Doherty, the assistant superintendent in Reading, and Brenda Needham, the superintendent of schools in Windsor, Vt. Both candidates will probably spend a day at Masconomet sometime next week to learn more about the school system, and so local officials, parents and other people can learn about them, said John Spencer of Topsfield, a Masconomet School Committee member. Doherty won recognition from the American Association of School Administrators last year, when he was working on a doctorate from Seton Hall University. For the last four years, he has been working as the assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and assessment for the Reading schools. He was also principal for a decade. Needham was named Vermont's Superintendent of the Year in 2007. The Valley News, a newspaper that covers her hometown, reported that four school districts there are considering hiring a single superintendent. Needham still has one year left on her contract there, the newspaper reported. Spencer said the candidates would likely visit May 18 or 19. The School Committee is scheduled to select Doherty or Needham on May 28, then ratify a contract June 10. Spencer said the district has been advertising that it would offer "competitive" pay and wants to contain costs. The winning superintendent's salary will depend on qualifications. Superintendent Claire Sheff-Kohn, who is retiring next month, has a salary of $177,860, the highest in the area. — Mike Stucka
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