Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. Matthew D’Andrea has been selected by the Wareham school committee to be the next superintendent of schools in Wareham.
The unanimous vote by the school committee took place Thursday night, according to a story in Wareham Week Friday morning.
Mr. D’Andrea was one of two finalists for the job. He will begin work July 1, according to the report.
Mr. D’Andrea has led the Vineyard school system since 2015, when he was hired to replace retiring superintendent James Weiss. When the news surfaced last month that he was a finalist for the Wareham job, he said it was the only job he had applied for, and if he was not selected he would stay on the Island.
He previously taught in Wareham, and cited his familiarity with and love for the community there.
Speaking to the Gazette by phone Friday, Mr. D’Andrea said he was happy to be offered the job.
I’m excited about the opportunity,” he said. “The Island is a wonderful community — I’ll always feel a connection to it.”
He said he still needs to negotiate a contract with Wareham, but confirmed that July 1 is his expected start date there.
Regional high school district committee chairman Amy Houghton praised the outgoing superintendent.
“I wish Matt all the best,” Ms. Houghton told the Gazette by phone. “I think he was a great support to staff and students and families during a very difficult number of years. And we will miss him.”
Ms. Houghton said the next steps will be determined by the all-Island school committee, which hires the superintendent and negotiates collective bargaining contracts for the public schools.
Updated to include comments from Mr. D’Andrea.
