The Tiverton School Committee has selected three finalists vying to replace Dr. Peter Sanchioni, who is retiring June 30 after eight years as superintendent of schools, according to a press release posted on the school system’s website.
Interviews, according to the release, are being held on Wednesday. Whoever is chosen will take over a system that has been fraught with friction between the schools, and council and residents over finances.
Some 24 candidates applied for the position, and that was reduced to seven and further reduced to the three. New England Development Council assisted the school system in the search.
One candidate is an assistant superintendent of a public school system, another a superintendent of a charter school district, and the third who is a former assistant superintendent of schools and currently involved in leadership and educational equity program.
Here’s a brief look at the candidates:
Laryssa M. Doherty, Ed.D. is presently a Continuous Improvement Facilitator and Coach at the Center for Leadership and Educational Equity in Providence. Doherty has served in multiple teaching and administrative positions in the Boston area, including as Assistant Superintendent of Malden Public Schools. She holds a Doctor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education and Human Development. She also earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Ithaca College, and a master’s in education from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
Christopher J. Haskins is Superintendent of the Paul Cuffee Charter School District in Providence, a position he has held for 11 years. Prior to that, Haskins held multiple teaching and administrative positions in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He holds a Master of Education, Educational Leadership from Bridgewater State University. He earned his bachelor of science in education from Henderson State University, master of education from Bridgewater State University, and coursework leading to Superintendent certification at Providence College.
Michael Whaley, Ed.D. is Assistant Superintendent of West Warwick Public Schools, Whaley was previously the Principal of Burrillville High School, and has held many teaching and administrative positions. He holds a Doctor of Educational Leadership from Johnson & Wales University. Whaley earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island in education, master’s in education from Providence College, and advanced certificate program in Superintendent of Schools at Central Connecticut State University.