ITEM FILE PHOTO
Pictured is Harrington Elementary School Principal Debra Ruggiero.
By ADAM SWIFT
PEABODY — The School Committee could select a new superintendent as soon as next Wednesday.
The city is down to two candidates to replace interim Superintendent Herb Levine after one finalist, Arthur Unobskey, accepted the superintendent position in Wayland earlier this week. The choice now looks like it will come down to Debra Ruggiero, principal of the Harrington Elementary School in Lynn, and John Oteri, headmaster at Somerville High School. Oteri is also a superintendent finalist in Malden.
The School Committee made a site visit to Lynn on Thursday to see Ruggiero in action and will be heading to Somerville on Tuesday. On Wednesday, April 5, both candidates will be in Peabody to meet with city officials during the day and for a second round of interviews with the committee that night.
“There could be a vote on that night, or it could be made at the School Committee meeting the following Tuesday,” said Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt Jr.
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The position was advertised with a salary range of $175,000-$190,000 with a three-year initial contract. The official posted start date is July 1.
Earlier in March, the School Committee interviewed six of the 19 candidates who applied for the position.
Bettencourt has said the district is looking for a candidate who will bring stability and enthusiasm to the position.