The Mamaroneck Union Free School District confirmed today that Hastings-on-Hudson Superintendent Robert Shaps is a finalist in the search to replace Dr. Paul Fried in the 2010-11 school year.

The District's Director of Public Information, Debbie Manetta, said that while Shaps is a finalist, the selection process has not been completed yet. "At this point the Board [of Education] isn't saying anything further yet," she said. They will inform the public once the "very thorough process" is complete. She would not confirm if there was more than one finalist.

Shaps joined the Hastings school district in August, 2006. He has a B.A. in English from Hobart College, an Ed.M. in Learning and Teaching from Harvard University and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to Hastings, he led the Manchester Essex Regional School District in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass., for three years.

News of Shaps' candidacy spread after an e-mail from the Hastings-on-Hudson School District was sent to parents confirming the Superintendent's selection.

In February, Mamaroneck School Board President Linnet Tse announced that the Board had narrowed down its search to three semi-finalists, all sitting superintendents, and that it would form an advisory committee formed by a teacher, an administrator, a parent and central office representatives to interview the finalist(s) and provide the board with feedback, all this before the winter break.

Dr. Paul Fried announced in June 2009 that he would retire at the end of this school year from the New York State public schools system. He served this community for five years and New York public schools for a total of 38, and will become Superintendent of Schools in Montville, N.J. next school year.

SeeThroughNY lists Dr. Fried's salary in Mamaroneck in 2009 as $268,623, and Shap's as $235,433.

The Board said that it will announce a replacement for Dr. Fried by April 1st, 2010.