Superintendent Search

April 16, 2021

The Superintendent Search Committee has recommended three finalists to the School Committee. The finalists and their profiles are presented below in alphabetical order.

Margaret Crisafulli Ferrick, Ed. D., Deputy Superintendent, Southbridge Public Schools

Originally a school social worker, Dr. Ferrick spent 20 years in Lowell, ultimately assuming a series of leadership positions before becoming a Principal/Director in 2013. Since 2017 she has been Deputy Superintendent in Southbridge. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; a Master of Social Work at Boston College, and an Ed.D. from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Dr. Ferrick holds a current license as a superintendent of schools in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Adam Renda, Ed.D., Chief Intervention and Innovation Officer, Fitchburg Public Schools

Dr. Renda has spent twenty years in the Fitchburg Public Schools where he advanced from the classroom to Assistant Principal and Principal positions in that district. Renda earned his bachelor’s degree at Fitchburg State University, a Master’s degree and a CAGS at Cambridge College, and a doctorate from Boston College where he was part of the Lynch Leadership Academy Fellowship. Dr. Renda holds several Massachusetts certifications including an active license as a superintendent of schools.

Karen Zaleski, Ed.D., Director of Student Services, Hopkinton Public Schools 

Dr. Zaleski has been an assistant principal, behavior specialist, and Director of Public Services as well as Director of Student Services over the past twenty years.  She currently oversees student services and has responsibility for, among other duties, special education.  Trained initially as a mental health professional, she has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Worcester State College, a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Assumption College, and an Ed. D. in Educational Leadership from Boston College. She is currently an adjunct faculty member at Anna Maria College in Paxton. She holds several current certifications in student services, principalships and superintendent of schools.

Superintendent Candidate Daily Schedule Breakdown:

Week of April 26, 2021

Monday, May 3, 2021

March 31, 2021

Thank you to those that participated in the Superintendent Search Survey. The information gathered from the MASC generated survey will help guide and refine the questions asked of candidates, and in determining the best candidate to fit the needs of the Ayer Shirley Regional School District.

ASRSD Focus Group Report

March 4, 2021

With the retirement of Superintendent Dr. Mary Malone at the end of the 2020-2021 school year, the Ayer Shirley Regional School Committee has begun its search for the next Superintendent of Schools. We have engaged the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) to serve as our consultant in the search process.

The School Committee has established a screening committee composed of a parent from each of the four schools, a teacher from each of the four schools, two school administrators, two ASRHS students, and two School Committee Members. The screening committee is not a hiring committee - they will review application packages, select candidates for and perform a confidential initial interview, and send the School Committee their recommendations on finalists.

After the screening committee forwards their lists of recommended finalists, members of the School Committee will visit the finalists’ districts for on-site observations. The finalists will, in turn, visit ASRSD for tours, public forums, and public interviews with the School Committee.

While it is the responsibility of the School Committee to hire the Superintendent, our process includes opportunities for members of our community to be involved.

Please continue to check this page for updates as public participation events are scheduled. Events will also be announced via the school district’s Weekly Update and the Ayer Shirley Regional School District’s Facebook page. 

An update on the Superintendent Search will be a standing item on each School Committee agenda until the process is complete. A link to the School Committee meeting schedule is below.

We hope you will take advantage of opportunities to participate in the ASRSD Superintendent Search.

If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Towne at mtowne@asrsd.org, or 978-772-8600 x1508.

Search Process Timeline:

Screening Committee Members:

School Committee Meeting Dates: 

https://www.asrsd.org/parents/meeting-schedules/

Please note additional meetings may be added as needed, with 48 hours notice. Meetings are also posted with the Town Clerk in our member towns.

MASC Superintendent Search:

Consultant: Mr. Glenn Koocher

Superintendent Search Brochure

Superintendent Application