WINCHENDON — Following the departure of Superintendent Thaddeus King in July, the School Committee has offered the position of interim superintendent to Ruthann Petruno-Goguen, who describes herself as a “change agent.”
Meantime, school officials have contacted legal counsel after the town made a $180,795 payout to King, who had been placed on administrative leave pending a third party investigation. School officials have declined to discuss the reasons for King’s leave.
The vote to hire a new interim superintendent was unanimous among three of the committee members who voted following interviews with Petruno-Goguen, Shauna LaPointe, Roland Joyal and Marlene DiLeo at two separate meetings on Aug. 2. One meeting was held remotely and the other in-person. Committee member and former chairman Ryan Forsythe abstained from voting and member Greg Vine was not present. Forsthe and Vine have both recently resigned from School Committee, according to correspondence from School Committee Chairwoman Karen Kast-McBride.
Petruno-Goguen told the committee that she had recently retired from the Webster Public Schools as its superintendent after nearly six years. Prior to that she worked as superintendent for the Mascenic Regional School District and executive director for the Hill View Montessori Charter Public School.
“I’m a change agent and able to set up systems and structures,” she said. “I see that the area is eager to have a leader, and I can help you come over the hump that you’re in.”
The meetings were held in response to King’s resignation in July after a year as superintendent in Winchendon and six months as interim superintendent. Attempts to reach members of the committee for comment were unsuccessful. School officials said they hope the interim superintendent will be in the role for two years while the search for a permanent replacement is conducted.
Petruno-Goguen said that in each of her roles, she’s been an advocate for children and evolves to meet their changing needs. She described Winchendon as a “turnaround district”— adding that education in general faces this challenge — as it is currently seeking new principals and a director of special education. She said the relationship between the committee and superintendent needs to be clear and staff should feel that they are being heard.
“A sense of safety and security is built on having people that lead and support your kids through building that trustful relationship,” she said.
Petruno-Goguen said she’s worked in challenging school district’s before, in some cases where there wasn’t money for the next paycheck or students worked with outdated learning materials. She said it’s important for a superintendent to be a part of the community, so as better to resolve issues when they happen.
“I will help you get into a better position,” Petruno-Goguen said. “I do like that challenge and I do like to help kids. I wouldn’t have applied if I wasn’t interested in taking the position.”
Following the interviews, discussion among the committee members was brief, but all agreed on hiring Petruno-Goguen. Committee member Anthony Findley said it was clear that the district needs “passion and fire.” Forsythe, who has not officially stepped down but abstained from voting, said Petruno-Goguen has a diversity of experience and would serve Winchendon well.
“She has the ability to come in quickly and identify those areas which can benefit from her experience,” he said.
Kast-McBride agreed that Petruno-Goguen was best suited for the role.
“There’s nothing more for us to say,” said Kast-McBride. “Even among such a great group of candidates — and those were the four finalists—I would go with Dr. G myself.”
Findley nominated Petruno-Goguen as interim superintendent, which the rest of the committee voted in favor of, subject to successful contract negotiations.
Meantime, the School Committee is investigating a payout made to King, following his departure in July.
In a July 28 letter, Kast-McBride wrote she was informed by email on July 26 that a payment of $180,795.14 had been given to King at the direction of Forsythe, taken from the superintendent’s line item of the budget. On July 14, the committee voted to approve a Separation Agreement with King and planned to discuss in an open meeting where this payout was to come from. The agreement wouldn’t take effect until that discussion took place, the letter stated.
“This disbursement occurred subsequent to the WSC’s (Winchendon School Committee) action taken at the Jan. 25th School Committee meeting which effectively voided the Separation Agreement entered into between Mr. King and WSC on July 14, 2023, which should have saved the District, and taxpayer’s that money,” the letter states.
The letter also states that the agreement, signed on July 14, was not provided by Forsythe to the rest of the committee, despite several requests, before July 25. Upon receipt, it was observed that the agreement was different than what as agreed upon during a School Committee executive session on July 13.
“It was stated in the Executive Session that the Separation Agreement would not be executed until that open discussion had happened,” the letter states.
Kast-McBride and other members of the School Committee did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Kast-McBride wrote that retracting the payment isn’t feasible at this time, but that legal counsel for the schools and town have been contacted.
“All possible and appropriate action will be taken in the coming days,” Kast-McBride wrote in the July 28 letter. ” … as appropriate legal action is needed, we as the Winchendon School Committee are prepared to take that action.”
Max Bowen can be reached at 413-930-4074 or at mbowen@recorder.com.
