Part-Time Assistant Superintendent Joins Braintree Schools

Dr. Susan Dukess, a former assistant superintendent with the Braintree Public Schools, will fill that role part-time while the district continues its search for a full-time replacement for Dr. Maureen Murray.

Dr. Murray was selected last winter to take over as superintendent from Dr. Peter Kurzberg, who retired in June. She told School Committee members Monday night that the search for a new assistant superintendent has so far been unfruitful. 

A search committee did not find an appropriate candidate earlier this year, Dr. Murray said, and a second search later in the school year did not draw adequate interest, nor did a search for an interim assistant superintendent.

Dr. Dukess will work two days a week, most likely Wednesday and Thursday, until a full-time replacement can be found. Many of the assistant superintendent's duties, including running the English language learner program, test analysis and professional development, have been delegated to other school administrators.

"I don't see any areas where things will suffer," Dr. Murray said.

The school department plans to open the position again in December with a goal of bringing someone on board in early 2014. 

Dr. Dukess left Braintree in spring 2006 to become the assistant superintendent in Brockton. Dr. Murray was hired to replace her.

Among the goals Dr. Murray laid out to the School Committee for her first year as superintendent are addressing space needs in the short- and long-term, develop and implement a long-term technology plan, and create a budget process that "promotes a clear understanding of district needs and expenditures."