BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MASSENA — The search continues for Massena Central School District’s next superintendent after just two of nine applicants were deemed qualified for the position.

As a result, the board of education has reopened the search, with a new deadline of March 17 for candidates to submit applications and all supporting materials.

Candidate interviews are expected to be conducted in May, with a goal to appoint a new superintendent on June 9. That individual’s start date will be Aug. 14, officials say.

Following the first round of applicants, officials said they felt it was in the best interest of the district to open up the search again.

Officials cited the complexity of the district with its vast number of facilities, big budget and large student population as some of the primary motivations for reopening the search.

A posting on the district’s website also details the search and requirements for a new superintendent.

Candidate qualifications include a valid New York State certificate as a School District Administrator or School District Leader, as well as an ability to “implement the Next Generation Learning standards, develop curriculum and assessment aligned to the standards, and build instructional data systems that measure student success and inform teachers and principals how they can improve their practice.”

Other requirements highlighted in the post include fiscal leadership, including the ability to understand and communicate the district’s financial condition and direction, along with general leadership and vision, communications, personal characteristics like experience making difficult decisions that will benefit students and the district, collective bargaining, interest in being an active community member and an ability to articulate PK-12 expectations for student behavior.

Brochures with updated information are being distributed as well. The salary range for the position was also updated to $170,000 to $190,000, officials said.

An “attractive benefit package” will also be offered, with a preference for the future superintendent to take up residency in the area to allow “for the Superintendent’s active participation in school and community events.”

Candidates who were originally in consideration had the choice to remain in the search or to withdraw, though officials say both agreed to remain in consideration.

Alan D. Pole, a consultant from Castallo & Silkey, based in Manlius, has been hired by the district to assist in the superintendent search.

Pole was also hired for the district’s last search for a superintendent in 2015, which led to the district hiring current Superintendent Pat Brady.

Brady announced his intention to retire last year after 35 years in education.

Upon retirement, Brady will have completed 18 years as a superintendent between his time at Potsdam and Massena.