HOPKINTON — The School Committee Thursday night signed a three-year contract with the district's next leader.
Carol Cavanaugh will start as superintendent on July 1 with an annual salary of $180,000. The committee chose Cavanaugh, the district's assistant superintendent, over three other finalists.
"We are very pleased to have Dr. Cavanaugh coming on board," said School Committee Chairwoman Jean Bertschmann. The committee unanimously voted to approve the deal.
Cavanaugh will replace Cathy MacLeod, who will retire at the end of the school year.
"The terms are very similar to what Dr. MacLeod has," Bertschmann said.
Cavanaugh joined the district in June 2016 as the assistant school superintendent for curriculum, instruction and professional development. She holds a Ph.D. in middle and high school literacy strategies from Lesley University, as well as a master of arts in teaching from Boston University. Her undergraduate degree was in English, and was also awarded from Boston University.
“The committee was impressed with her vision for pushing the district forward in several areas. Particularly some of the areas that are currently a challenge for us in terms of enrollment and the increasing diversity of our student population,” Bertschmann said after the selection. “In addition, we talked about the depth of her professional expertise, including curriculum and her ability to quickly gather data to make a decision.”
The news was met with cheers from the meeting held in the high school library.
"It is awkward to say, 'Welcome to Hopkinton,' because you are already here," Bertschmann said,
Dr. Cavanaugh will will work closely with MacLeod and the School Committee to ensure a smooth and seamless transition, according to the committee.
Jonathan Phelps can be reached at 508-626-4338 or jphelps@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @JPhelps_MW.