School Committee hires Philip Thornton as new superintendent

Matt Bower
Posted 9/25/15

By a 4-1 vote, the School Committee appointed Philip Thornton, current superintendent of schools in Cumberland, the new permanent superintendent of Warwick Public Schools at a special meeting on …

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School Committee hires Philip Thornton as new superintendent

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By a 4-1 vote, the School Committee appointed Philip Thornton, current superintendent of schools in Cumberland, the new permanent superintendent of Warwick Public Schools at a special meeting on Wednesday. The contract will be for three years with a salary of $185,000, subject to review by legal counsel.

Thornton beat out Lori McEwen, chief of instruction, leadership and equity for the Providence School Department, for the position. The decision came after narrowing down the field of 24 applicants to two candidates. Both Thornton and McEwen then had an opportunity to visit the district, where they toured schools, met with staff and administrators, conducted public forums and finally met privately with the school committee for a final interview.

School Committee member Karen Bachus cast the lone dissenting vote, saying that while she felt both candidates were “fine people and well qualified for the position,” she didn’t think either one was right for Warwick.

“The Warwick community is in a state of flux. There are a lot of people that are angry with Warwick Public Schools,” she said. “We need one of our own in charge, someone who is respected by everyone in the city and who loves the city and the [school] system more than anything. That man is William McCaffrey. He may lack experience, but he has a lot of heart.”

Bachus continued, saying the schools and the city are not working well together and she fears appointing either of the two candidates will only chase people out of the city.

Prior to the vote, committee vice chairman Eugene Nadeau said he was satisfied with the two candidates the committee had to choose from.

“When Lori gave her presentation, everyone was impressed with her responses, her spontaneity and her voice,” he said. “Phil was much shorter in his responses and he didn’t look to the audience as she did, but we had the opportunity to speak with him in the library afterward and I was confident in his responses, which were much more open.”

Nadeau said that was the deciding factor for him.

“I agreed with those responses. I believe he will be a strong superintendent who will look after the administrators, unions, parents, and others affected by education in Rhode Island and I’m proud to lend him my vote,” he said.

School Committee member Bethany Furtado thanked the superintendent interview committee for doing their due diligence in narrowing down the candidates.

“Warwick would be lucky to have either of these candidates based on their interviews, both public and private. They are knowledgeable, well versed, and forward thinking; the district would have an advantage if we could hire both,” she said, adding Thornton has a fine grasp of the facilities as well as an ability to engage building administrators. “He will lead this district back to greatness.”

Committee member Terri Medeiros thanked everyone, including building administrators, principals and community members, for taking the time to provide feedback and fill out reflection sheets that were handed out at the public forums with each candidate.

School Committee Chairwoman Jennifer Ahearn echoed those comments.

“Thank you for participating in this process and submitting surveys. They weighed heavily on our final decision for the right candidate for this position,” she said. “We were looking for someone who has been through the ups and downs and has experience because there’s no substitute for experience.”

Ahearn said Thornton has had opportunities and challenges to deal with consolidation and contract negotiations, two challenges currently facing the Warwick School Department.

“Phil has had experience with that and I feel he is the appropriate individual for this position,” she said.

Ahearn also thanked Dr. William Holland, who stepped in to serve as interim superintendent until a permanent one could be found and aided in that search process.

“I whole heartedly thank William Holland for participating in the process and ensuring it was open and transparent,” she said.

However, not everyone felt it was open and transparent.

“If it was open and transparent, you would have had parents, teachers and community members on the selection committee,” said Darlene Netcoh, English teacher and department head at Toll Gate and frequent, vocal attendee at school committee meetings.

Following the meeting, Ahearn said she felt the process was a very thoughtful, deliberate and well executed one.

“It was quick, but we knew we were only going to have Dr. Holland for a limited amount of time,” she said. “Feedback from all stakeholders was either received or solicited.”

Ahearn explained that a message was posted to the community informing them if they were unable to attend either of the public candidate forums, each one was recorded and the audio was available for them to listen to and provide feedback before the final decision was made.

“Each candidate also had the opportunity to sit with the mayor, and I think he felt confident with both candidates,” she said.

In a press release following the appointment, Ahearn said, “We are thrilled to have Philip Thornton as the dynamic new leader for Warwick. He is an experienced and skilled educator who will take this district to new heights and help give our children the type of education we all want them to receive.”

According to the release, Thornton is working out his transition with Cumberland and plans to start in Warwick as soon as possible.

“I can’t wait to get started in Warwick,” Thornton said. “Last week I had the opportunity to tour several schools in the district and meet students, teachers and administrators. I am very impressed by what I saw. The opportunity and potential is enormous in Warwick. I am honored to lead this district.”

Thornton’s career includes four years of experience as superintendent in Cumberland, and a previous stint as superintendent in North Kingstown. Before that, he spent many years as a history teacher and a school administrator. Thornton received his bachelor’s degree at Colby College, majoring in American Studies, his master’s at Providence College, and a Doctor of Education degree from Johnson & Wales University.

Thornton will replace William Holland, who has served as interim superintendent since July.

“Dr. Holland has said from day one that his top priority was assisting us in finding a high quality permanent superintendent. He has made good on that promise. He has put a lasting positive mark on the district through aiding us in identifying a terrific new superintendent, as well as providing strong leadership for the last several months,” Ahearn said in the release.

“I am pleased to be leaving Warwick schools in such good hands,” said Holland. “Phil Thornton will help make Warwick a superior school district and will do it through getting all the different groups in the community to work together effectively.”

Comments

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  • Justanidiot

    We are doomed.

    Monday, September 28, 2015 Report this

  • JohnStark

    Mr. Nadeau: "I believe he will be a strong superintendent who will look after the administrators, unions, parents, and others affected by education in Rhode Island..." Reassuring to know that the next superintendent will "look after" unions, but not necessarily children in the system. This is not an excusable slip by Mr. Nadeau as his remarks were prepared. Says all that needs to be said about priorities, and why parents can not leave the schools fast enough.

    Tuesday, September 29, 2015 Report this