by Marty Green ·
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Bromfield Principal Jim O’Shea will not be leaving the Bromfield School this fall to take up new duties in the northwestern Massachusetts town of Greenfield.
O’Shea was a finalist in the Greenfield School District’s search for a superintendent, but in a unanimous vote Wednesday evening the Greenfield School Committee named Springfield educator Jordana Harper-Ewert to the post, contingent on reaching agreement on a contract.
O’Shea was chosen as one of four finalists for the Greenfield position in late March, but two other candidates dropped out earlier this month. Greenfield School Committee member Margaret Betts visited Bromfield before April vacation as part of the selection process. O’Shea, in turn, went to Greenfield on Tuesday for a public interview by the school committee, as well as a chance to meet with teachers and residents.
The vote of the Greenfield School Committee followed quickly on the completion of their public interview of Harper-Ewert, who visited the district on Wednesday. She is currently a chief schools officer in Springfield, overseeing 16 elementary schools.
Two years ago, O’Shea was a finalist for the position of superintendent in the North Middlesex Regional School District, where he held several administrative posts for eight years before coming to Bromfield as principal in 2006.
Editor’s Note: This story is an update, reflecting the Wednesday night vote of the Greenfield School Committee. To read the original story, see "O'Shea may leave Bromfield for Greenfield."