Richard D’Agostino, who had hoped the School Committee would renew his contract as Warwick superintendent, but retired in the wake of the arrest of a Gorton science teacher on sexual assault …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
|
Richard D’Agostino, who had hoped the School Committee would renew his contract as Warwick superintendent, but retired in the wake of the arrest of a Gorton science teacher on sexual assault charges involving a 15-year old North Kingstown girl, is one of four finalists for superintendent of Southbridge, Mass. schools.
D’Agostino had a 33-year career with Warwick schools as a teacher, principal of Oakland Beach School, director of special education and superintendent. He was tapped for the superintendent’s job on an interim basis when former superintendent Peter Horoschak was forced out for unexplained reasons by the School Committee in the fall of 2012. His contract expired in July 2013.
D’Agostino was named superintendent without the post being advertised and continued in the post for more than a year. When the job was posted, he was one of two finalists for the job. It seemed he was the last man standing when Anthony Pope, who had a controversial tenure as superintendent of the Marlboro, Mass., school system, withdrew his application last spring.
About that time, a grand jury handed down an indictment of Mario Atoyan, the Gorton science teacher. Atoyan’s arrest prompted two parents to come forward to report that Atoyan had drawn penises on the arms of their daughters. That triggered the committee to commission an investigation of how school administrators had handled complaints and how Atoyan was disciplined.
The report of that investigation was made to the committee in May. The report remains secret, although last fall Superior Court Justice Bennett Gallo ruled in favor of the City Council’s subpoena to obtain it.
Last June, D’Agostino announced he would retire in July, and the committee initiated a search for an interim. William Holland was named to the job. He quickly advertised the post, and this past fall Philip Thornton, then superintendent of Cumberland Schools, was named to the post.
According to a letter to Mitchell D. Chester, Ed. D., commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education for Massachusetts, posted on the Southbridge website by Jill Congdon, chair of the Southbridge Superintendent Search Committee, D’Agostino is one of four finalists for the Southbridge job. The others are George King Jr., Amy McKinstry and Sheryl Stanton.
Judging from Condon’s letter and news reports, D’Agostino would be faced with a challenging situation should he be chosen for the job.
Despite the commissioner’s recommendation for Southbridge to suspend its search for a superintendent, Condon writes, the school committee “agreed unanimously that we have a duty to continue the search for a Superintendent.”
She goes on to write: “We have a solid assembly of people who are working to find the person who will provide Southbridge with the stability and leadership that we all seek. We have strong applicants, who we truly believe can provide this leadership and bring about the rapid, robust and systematic improvement in all of our students.”
According to news reports, as recent as Jan. 15, Chester recommends Southbridge schools – which have had seven superintendents and seven high school principals since 2011 – should be designated as chronically under performing and placed in state receivership. Chester would serve as interim receiver for the system of 2,200 students until April, when an appointed receiver would take control. The Level 5 designation that would put the state in control of the system is to be discussed at a Board of Elementary and Secondary Education forum on Jan. 25, according to reports.
Reached yesterday, D’Agostino confirmed he is a candidate for the job but had nothing further to say.
5 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Justanidiot
Let's all write a letter of recommendation for him, shall we?
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 Report this
Gonewiththewind
"Stability and Leadership" ..yup, that just about sums up his tenure here. Actually, he deserves a city like Southbridge. I'm sure they'll love him.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 Report this
JohnStark
A system in chaos entertains the notion of hiring a man who was responsible for....chaos. You can't make it up.
Thursday, January 21, 2016 Report this
Warwickresident12
Might as well give the jerk a high five and a paycheck for assisting in abuse.
Saturday, January 23, 2016 Report this
danfire
Anther PENSIoN coming his way. How years will he need in mASS to receive one?
Saturday, January 23, 2016 Report this