In a letter to Mamaroneck School District Parents and community members, Mamaroneck School Board President Linnet Tse announced that the search for Mamaroneck's next superintendent is going well.

Dr. Paul Fried, the current superintendent, announced in June 2009 that he would retire at the end of this school year, leaving the board enough time to find a replacement for him. Fried served this community for five years and New York public schools for a total of 38 years.

Prior to narrowing down its selection of candidates, the Board conducted focus groups and meetings to get input from the community. More recently, it reported a very good response to its ads and recruiting efforts, which resulted in over fifty potential candidates representing ten states. Recruitment efforts were led by Dr. Bruce Dennis and Ms. Debbie Raizes, both senior associates at Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd (HYA). 

Having interviewed "a very strong slate of six candidates," the board narrowed down its search last weekend to three semi-finalists, all sitting superintendents, said Tse.

The board announced that it will be forming an advisory committee, which will include teacher, administrator, parent and central office representatives,  to interview the finalist(s) and provide the board with feedback. This is expected to take place before the winter break, said Director of Public Information Debbie Manetta. 

"The search is proceeding according to the timetable that the Board and our consultants initially agreed to in the fall," said Tse.  

The deadline to announce a replacement for Dr. Fried is April 1st, 2010.