School Board Picks Mainland Educator for Interim Position

By IAN FEIN

The All-Island School Committee unanimously selected Dr. Paul Dulac, a former school superintendent from Newburyport, as the next interim superintendent of Vineyard schools yesterday afternoon.

"I listened to this guy thinking, ‘You've got to be kidding me; I'm living a dream,' " said school board member David Rossi, who chaired the interviews with the three finalists for the position. "This guy impressed the hell out of me. He seemed very comfortable in this role, and is obviously a great communicator. I hope he's going to come on board."

As of 7 p.m. last night the school board had not reached Mr. Dulac, who returned to his home in Windsor, Vt., following yesterday's trip to the Vineyard.

If Mr. Dulac declines to take the job, the committee will offer the position to its second choice - Dr. Margaret (Marge) Harris, the Vineyard schools assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

School committee members praised Mrs. Harris and suggested she might still be a top candidate for the permanent superintendent position, but called the interim period a good opportunity to learn from someone outside of the Island school system.

In particular, board members praised Mr. Dulac's lengthy leadership experience both in New England and abroad, where he was superintendent of an international school in Beijing, China.

"We're always talking about professional development and wanting to rub elbows with people doing other things, and [Mr. Dulac's] experience is exceptional," said school committee member Susan Parker of Chilmark. "This is a golden opportunity to bring someone in for a few months who can roll up their sleeves and give us what they have," she said.

"It's always difficult to choose between a strong on-Island candidate and one from further away, but sometimes the fact that they are from somewhere else is desirable," said school board member Kathy Logue of West Tisbury. "They can give us a perspective of someone who has not been here all along."

The best known of the three final candidates, Mrs. Harris taught social studies at the Vineyard high school for more than 25 years and chaired the department before taking a job as a history curriculum specialist with the state Department of Education.

In early October, the week after former superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash announced his departure, the All-Island School Committee asked a group of top school administrators for recommendations. The group, also known as the superintendent's cabinet, suggested the school board appoint Edward Jerome as a short-term interim for about 90 days, and Mrs. Harris as an interim for the remainder of the school year.

The board appointed Mr. Jerome to a three-month term the following week, but held off on appointing its next interim until this week.

If he accepts the position, Mr. Dulac will replace Mr. Jerome on Jan. 17 and serve a five-month term through June 30.

Applications for the permanent superintendent position, set to begin on July 1, are due by Jan. 28.

Both Mrs. Harris and the third finalist, Dr. Thomas Johnson of Harwichport, are eligible to apply for the permanent position. More than one school board member said they hoped Mr. Dulac might apply for the position as well.