Taymore Selected As Next Melrose Superintendent

Editor's note: This article was updated on Friday at 11:08 a.m.

will be the next superintendent of , pending contract negotiations, after a School Committee vote on Thursday night.

Taymore is currently the assistant superintendent with Bedford Public Schools, retaining oversight of special education. She holds a bachelor's degree from American University, a master's degree from Emerson, graduate work at Salem State, and certificate for post graduate work at UMass Boston.

Out of the five finalists, Taymore was one of three who consistently came up as the School Committee discussed who should become the next leader of the city's schools, along with and .

The committee voted 6-1 for Taymore in a roll call vote, with committee member Carrie Kourkoumelis voting for Kelleher. Following the roll call vote, the committee unanimously selected Taymore as the next superintendent, pending contract negotiations that began immediately after the meeting in executive session. The committee previously .

Breadth and Depth of Experience Cited

In selecting Taymore, committee members noted her breadth and depth of experience as a teacher, School Committee member, special education advocate and director, and director of an alternative education program in East Boston.

Committee member Don Lehman spoke about Taymore's curriculum experience in Bedford and career path includes work in Malden, Boston and Bedford schools.

"She has great life experience and depth experience," Lehman said. "I was impressed with the way she came across, communicated, and responded."

Committee member Margaret Driscoll recalled Taymore's answer to a member of the public who asked about her career bucket list and what she wants to achieve before retiring. Taymore had responded, "There's only one thing—I'd like the community to say to me, 'You've made a difference in our kids' lives.'" Driscoll also read from the Harvard Business Review ten critera for successful executives, which she said align with what the community is looking for in a new superintendent.

"Based on the application, meet and greets, School Committee and observations of our broad group of stakeholders ... I believe that Cyndy Taymore embodies these (criteria) in the most consistent way," she said.

With regard to pace of change, committee member Don Constantine said that he believed Taymore would make more an immediate impact on the district.

"Over first three years, I think Cyndy Taymore is going to bring us further any more than any of the other candidates," Constantine said, adding "Taymore was the candidate in the eyes of everyone (in the public) who submitted emails (to the committee)."

Committee Chairwoman Kristin Thorp also said that out of all the feedback the committee received on the candidates, "nearly everyone" who listed their top candidates had Taymore as the first or second choice.

"I really think the difference was that Ms. Taymore has more proven track record, more experience and feel like that’s a better fit for Melrose at this particular moment," Thorp said.

Mayor Rob Dolan said that Taymore has "incredible depth" in her experience, working with troubled children in East Boston who may have "shocking" home lives, which he said speaks to her "character and passion." He also cited her holding students and staff members alike accountable for results, and said that representatives from Malden and the Bedford superintendent both gave positive reviews, adding that Melrose's diversity from upper class to working class matches the depth of her background.

"Melrose in many ways is a combination of all her experience," Dolan said.

Committee member Christine Casatelli noted Bedford is only one of three school districts in the state where students are using iPads, a one-on-one computing direction that she said she personally believes Melrose High School should pursue. She also noted her experience in special education, gifted and talent programs and on a School Committee, while noting that Taymore was the only finalist without a doctorate, which .

"Some people may not support her because she does not have 'PhD' after her name, but she has more than earned her stripes in Boston and in Malden, two extremely challenging school districts," Casatelli said. "I like Cyndy Taymore's vision for Melrose, I like her passion, I like her experience, I like her style, and I would like her to be the next Superintendent of Melrose Public Schools."

Kelleher, Rodriguez Also Lauded as Candidates

Committee member Carrie Kourkoumelis endorsed Kelleher in her remarks, citing his "stellar credentials" from his academic background to his 10 years in Scituate during trying economic times, during which he advocated for and won an override. She also cited his answers to "explicit questions" about the challenges facing Melrose schools, his proactive approach, communication skills and "outstanding" work ethic."

"In short he sets a perfect example. This man has the ability to inspire as a compelling leader of our district," Kourkoumelis said. "Dr. Kelleher cares. He very much wants to come to Melrose. He has proven himself to be a dedicated and accomplished administrator."

All of the committe members spoke highly of the quality of superintendent finalists, with most also citing Kelleher and Rodriguez as impressive candidates at the top of their list.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident and School Committee stalwart Gerry Mroz cited Kelleher and Rodriguez as his top two candidates.

"If we can’t have (Rodriguez), Kelleher's most a match for what we can use in our district to go from the plateau we’re at today to the next plateau up," Mroz said. "All five (candidates), if we had a million dollars, we could find a place for in our district because they all have strengths we could use in our district."

Eric Heath, who served on the Superintendent Search Committee, spoke in favor of Taymore, saying, "She has exhibited a breadth of experience, a vision on instructional leadership, executive abilities as an administrator, candor and substance and tact, and passions as a teacher—all needed in Melrose.

"The selection of one (candidate) as superintendent will not disparage the others in the least," Heath also said.

The School Committee previously set a target date of April 3 to have a signed contract with the new superintendent, who will replace the starting July 1.