BOXFORD — The Masconomet School Committee was supposed to pick a new superintendent last night. Instead, those plans turned to dust.

Some committee members found out just an hour before the meeting that John Doherty, the Reading assistant superintendent who was one of two finalists, had pulled out of the competition. It wasn't clear last night whether Brenda Needham, who last year was Vermont's Superintendent of the Year, would stay in the race while the School Committee tries to figure out its next steps.

Committee member John Spencer of Topsfield, who led the superintendent search, said a subcommittee is investigating whether it should start the search over, hire an interim superintendent or continue evaluating Needham.

"We could continue, but we could consider alternatives to that," Spencer said.

Spencer told other School Committee members he thought it would be "inappropriate" to move on last night only evaluating Needham.

The whole search process was geared toward competition, evaluating not just whether a finalist was an appropriate fit for the system, but which finalist was the best fit for Masconomet.

The four-month search crumbled yesterday morning, when Doherty e-mailed Spencer a mysterious statement that still showered praise on Masconomet.

"Regretfully, for personal and professional reasons, I am withdrawing my name for consideration for Superintendent of the Masconomet Regional School District," Doherty wrote. "During the last 24 hours, I have received some information that has contributed to this decision. Unfortunately, I am unable to share the information with you at this time."

Spencer said he called Doherty, who wouldn't say more about why he withdrew.

Committee member Rodney Pendleton of Middleton wanted the committee to discuss Needham, who he said had at least 95 percent of the board's desired qualifications.

"I was impressed with what she's been able to do" in previous superintendencies, Pendleton said. "... She would make a fine addition to our staff."

The committee voted to have the superintendent search subcommittee investigate what should happen next. Only Pendleton opposed the motion. The subcommittee is scheduled to recommend the next step at a June 10 meeting. Activities from next week's graduation will keep the School Committee from moving sooner.

It wasn't clear whether Needham would remain in consideration. Spencer said he planned to call her later last night, hoping to persuade her to "keep her hat in the ring."

Neither Needham nor Doherty returned messages left at their homes last night by The Salem News.

In his e-mail, Doherty called Masconomet an excellent school system.

"If I was chosen, I would have welcomed the opportunity to have been the superintendent of this school district," he wrote. "I apologize for the late notice of this decision; however, I wanted you to have this information prior to the school committee meeting this evening."

Spencer said the current superintendent, Claire Sheff Kohn, who earned $177,860 last year, is still scheduled to retire at the end of June but may be able to help later than that. The search panel will also investigate how much help, and when, she could offer.

"There is the possibility of flexibility," Spencer said.