4/3 Community Update

Dear Beverly Public Schools Community,

I am writing to provide an update on the Superintendent search process. Last night, the Beverly School Committee voted to name Peter Cushing, Jennifer Turner, and Sean Gallagher as the finalists for Superintendent of the Beverly Public Schools.

Dr. Cushing, Dr. Turner, and Mr. Gallagher were recommended to the School Committee by a Screening Committee composed of members of our community such as students, caregivers, parents, educators, school and district administrators, as well as Mayor Michael Cahill and School Committee Chair Rachael Abell. Field Director Alicia Mallon of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) is coordinating the search on behalf of the School Committee.

Each of the finalists will be interviewed by the Beverly School Committee during public meetings on April 14, April 15, and April 16. Members of the community are invited to meet the finalists at a meet and greet earlier in the day while they are in the district for stakeholder forums. The School Committee is scheduled to vote to appoint the next Superintendent on April 17. Below is a brief biography for each finalist:

Dr. Peter Cushing has served as Assistant Superintendent of Enrichment and Innovation for the Medford Public Schools since 2019, supporting a student population of more than 4,100. Dr. Cushing was a principal at the Bartlett High School in Webster from 2018 to 2019, principal of Narragansett Middle School in Templeton from 2011 to 2018 and vice principal of Narragansett Regional High School from 2008 to 2011. Prior to becoming a school administrator, Dr. Cushing was a History teacher at Lynn Classical High School and Arlington High School. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Politics from Saint Anselm College and a Master's Degree in Educational Administration and a Doctorate in Education from Boston College.

Sean Gallagher has served as Superintendent of the Newburyport Public Schools since 2018, supporting a student population of more than 2,100. Mr. Gallagher was Assistant Superintendent of the Wilmington Public Schools from 2016 to 2018, principal of Beverly High School from 2006 to 2016 and Dean of Students and Athletic Director at Salem High School from 2002 to 2005. Prior to becoming a school administrator, Mr. Gallagher was a Health and Science teacher in Salem, a Special Education teacher in Lynn, and a Health teacher in Everett. Mr. Gallagher received a Bachelor's Degree in Health and Physical Education from Salem State University, a Master's Degree in Organizational Management from Endicott College and completed pre-doctoral coursework at the National Institute of School Leadership. Mr. Gallagher is also a graduate of the Lowell Police Academy and received an Associate's Degree in Law Enforcement from Dean College.

Dr. Jennifer Turner has served as Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning for the Melrose Public Schools since 2022, supporting a student population of more than 3,800. Dr. Turner was Principal at the Diamond Middle School in Lexington from 2016 to 2022 and Assistant Principal of Clarke Middle School in Lexington from 2010 to 2016. Prior to becoming a school administrator, Dr. Turner was a Special Education teacher at Hamilton-Wenham High School in Hamilton-Wenham, an English teacher at North Reading Middle School, and a Humanities and Special Education teacher at Wamsutta Middle School. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Secondary Education from Stonehill College, a Master's Degree in Special Needs from Simmons University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Northeastern University.

Anyone who would like more information about the Superintendent Search is encouraged to visit beverlyschools.org, which is where a form will later be made available to collect community input and reflections about the finalists during their in-district visits and interviews.

Sincerely,

Rachael O. Abell