MONTAGUE — After the first search for a new superintendent for the Gill-Montague Regional School District failed, a second attempt is underway with continued support of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC).
The Gill-Montague School Committee met Sept. 16 to go over and revise a school district brochure and a job description to release, while also voting to establish the makeup of the search committee that will review applications, conduct interviews and recommend finalists.
An earlier attempt at finding a new superintendent fell apart last March after two previous candidates were deemed non-viable. The search committee put forward two finalists, but one of them, Brian Ricca, had accepted the superintendent job at Southern Berkshire Regional School District and still wanted to be considered for the Gill-Montague position.
Citing advice from district legal counsel, the School Committee opted not to interview the other candidate, and voted to declare both as non-viable in February, suspending the search for the permanent candidate until the start of this school year.
Meantime, the district conducted an internal search for an interim superintendent. Tari Thomas, who started in the position in July 2025 before the first permanent superintendent search began, was selected to continue in this role in March.
As part of the search, the MASC continues to offer support to the district, with MASC Center West Field Director Tracy Novick returning to help with the search.
During last week’s meeting, much of the brochure created earlier to highlight different parts of the district and advertise the position was retained. The main changes were to update the list of School Committee members, add the fiscal year 2027 budget, amend the number of current employees and new administrative roles, and add a section to highlight important district projects, including the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) projects for the Gill Elementary school roof, and the Hillcrest and Sheffield Elementary School consolidation.
Salary range
The biggest point of the discussion for the committee was the salary range for the position. For the last search, the range was set between $170,000 and $190,000 per year with a negotiable contract length. School Committee Chair Jane Oakes said that Novick recommended the committee review this range to help keep the position competitive, but determined that a change isn’t required.
Business and Operations Director Joanne Blier explained that she reviewed the salaries of surrounding districts for FY27 superintendent budgets, and posited a $180,000 to $200,000 range.
“Where are we getting the extra money? I thought we were kind of strapped for cash,” committee member Wendy Thompson asked, adding later that the district has less than 800 students while the salary continues to grow, and it’s her concern that the district will “hit a wall” financially.
Other members agreed. Carol Jacobs said that starting out at a high minimum while looking to retain someone long-term could create issues with how much the district can afford with annual increases to an already-high budget. Both Clifford Spatcher and Vice Chair William Tomb shared this view.
Compared to other districts, Franklin County Technical School budgeted $201,000 and Greenfield Public Schools allocated $185,000 for superintendent pay. Frontier Regional, Mohawk Trail and Pioneer Valley all fall at or above $175,000, but below $180,000.
The decision was made to leave the range as originally presented.
After deliberating these details, the School Committee voted unanimously to approve the brochure and the job posting, allowing Oakes to amend the timeline and important dates of the search within the brochure, as information is still finalized.
Search committee
The final discussion item was voting to establish the makeup of the search committee that would review applications, interview semi-finalists and recommend finalists.
This time around, the search committee will be made up of two students; three district parents or guardians; three community members or civic leaders from Gill, Montague and Erving; one school principal from Gill-Montage; one central office administrator; three teachers; one administrative assistant; and one support staff member, which could be an instructional assistant, cafeteria worker or custodian.
Oakes said the dates when the search committee will be required to meet will be finalized with Novick before a call for applications is released.
