Superintendent Search

UPDATED SCHEDULE - PLEASE SEE CHANGES IN RED: 

Holliston Public Schools Announces Three Finalists for Superintendent of Schools

Holliston, MA — The Holliston School Committee is pleased to announce the finalists for the Superintendent of Schools following a comprehensive search process. After reviewing a strong pool of applicants and conducting initial interviews, the Screening Team has identified the following candidates, listed in alphabetical order:

• Dr. James A. “Kimo” Carter
  James A. “Kimo” Carter has served as Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning in Weston Public Schools since July 2018, where he oversees curriculum, instruction, and assessment initiatives. Prior to this role, he was Principal of Watertown Middle School for 13 years and previously served as an assistant principal and middle school social studies teacher. His experience spans classroom teaching, school leadership, and district-level administration. Dr. Carter holds an EdD in Educational Administration from Boston College, an EdM from Harvard University, and Massachusetts Professional Superintendent certification.

• Mr. Tim McCormick
  Tim McCormick has been Superintendent of Schools for North Brookfield Public Schools since 2022. Prior to this role, he served as a high school principal in North Brookfield and Northbridge, as well as principal of the Gardner Academy of Learning & Technology. Earlier in his career, he worked as an athletic director at the secondary level. Mr. McCormick holds a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of New Hampshire and maintains Massachusetts DESE certification as a Superintendent and Principal.

• Dr. Jennifer G. Parson
  Jennifer Goldstein Parson has served as Superintendent of Schools for Plainville Public Schools in Plainville, Massachusetts, since July 2022. Previously, she was Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Hopkinton Public Schools from 2018 to 2022 and earlier served as a principal in both the Northborough and Hopkinton Public Schools. Her professional background includes district-level leadership, school administration, and classroom teaching. Dr. Parson holds an EdD in Leadership in Schooling from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and multiple Massachusetts licensure endorsements, including Superintendent and Principal. She also served as an elected member of the Milford Public Schools School Committee from 2014 to 2023.

The finalists were selected by the Screening Team, which included members from across the district community, including district administrators, principals, a teacher and union representative, school committee members, and a town official.

Each finalist will visit the district on Wednesday, January 28, Thursday, January 29, or Friday, January 30 to participate in school tours, community meet-and-greets, and stakeholder interviews (details below).Opportunities for staff, students, families, and community members to meet the candidates are as follows:

• Meet & Greet with Staff: 3:30-4:15pm, Miller Multi-Purpose Room

• Community Meet & Greet: 4:30-5:15pm, Miller Multi-Purpose Room or via the following zoom link:

https://holliston-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/84111551414?pwd=MbdsE8XMJ6uoKxCPMmRVg6fau3GzGS.1

Additional details about these events and how to provide feedback will be shared on the district website.

Following the finalist visits, the School Committee will conduct public interviews, request public feedback (via a survey to be distributed after the final interview), and deliberate prior to appointing the next Superintendent of Schools.  Community members may watch the interviews live via the Holliston Hub  (HCAT - on Cable Access or YouTube or Zoom link below) or view the recorded sessions afterward.  The specific interview schedule is as follows (all will take place at the High School Library):

• Wednesday, January 28th, 7:00-8:30pm - Mr. Tim McCormick

• Thursday, January 29th, 7:00-8:30pm - Dr. Jennifer G. Parson

• Friday, January 30th, 7:00-8:30pm - Dr. James A. “Kimo” Carter

https://holliston-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/84111551414?pwd=MbdsE8XMJ6uoKxCPMmRVg6fau3GzGS.1

The final selection and vote are expected to take place at a Special School Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 3 at 7:00pm in the High School Library. This will also be broadcast live on HCAT.

The Holliston School Committee is excited to share this accomplished group of candidates with our community. Each finalist brings a strong record of educational leadership and a deep shared commitment to our district’s mission and values. We look forward to engaging with our stakeholders throughout this final phase of the process.

For more information about the superintendent search and to view candidate materials, visit https://www.holliston.k12.ma.us/about/school-committee/superintendent-search.

Finally, we will be holding two Office Hours to provide an opportunity for community members to share feedback and ask questions.

Holliston School Committee Office Hours:

• Saturday, January 31, 9:00-10:00am - Coffee Haven

• Sunday, February 1, 3:00-4:00pm - Rushford & Sons 

These informal sessions are open to all and are intended to support dialogue, transparency, and community engagement as we move forward in the superintendent search process. We hope you will join us. 

 

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About Holliston Public Schools
Holliston Public Schools’ is a PreK-12th grade public school district serving approximately 2,650 students across four schools.  The district provides an inclusive and positive school culture for all students, along with innovative academic and enrichment programs, including French Immersion, Montessori, and Global Citizens pathways.

 

 

Holliston Public Schools Announces Three Finalists for Superintendent of Schools

Holliston, MA — The Holliston School Committee is pleased to announce the finalists for the Superintendent of Schools following a comprehensive search process. After reviewing a strong pool of applicants and conducting initial interviews, the Screening Team has identified the following candidates, listed in alphabetical order:

• Dr. James A. “Kimo” Carter
  James A. “Kimo” Carter has served as Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning in Weston Public Schools since July 2018, where he oversees curriculum, instruction, and assessment initiatives. Prior to this role, he was Principal of Watertown Middle School for 13 years and previously served as an assistant principal and middle school social studies teacher. His experience spans classroom teaching, school leadership, and district-level administration. Mr. Carter holds an EdD in Educational Administration from Boston College, an EdM from Harvard University, and Massachusetts Professional Superintendent certification.

• Mr. Tim McCormick
  Tim McCormick has been Superintendent of Schools for North Brookfield Public Schools since 2022. Prior to this role, he served as a high school principal in North Brookfield and Northbridge, as well as principal of the Gardner Academy of Learning & Technology. Earlier in his career, he worked as an athletic director at the secondary level. Mr. McCormick holds a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of New Hampshire and maintains Massachusetts DESE certification as a Superintendent and Principal.

• Dr. Jennifer G. Parson
  Jennifer Goldstein Parson has served as Superintendent of Schools for Plainville Public Schools in Plainville, Massachusetts, since July 2022. Previously, she was Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Hopkinton Public Schools from 2018 to 2022 and earlier served as a principal in both the Northborough and Hopkinton Public Schools. Her professional background includes district-level leadership, school administration, and classroom teaching. Ms. Parson holds an EdD in Leadership in Schooling from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and multiple Massachusetts licensure endorsements, including Superintendent and Principal. She also served as an elected member of the Milford Public Schools School Committee from 2014 to 2023.

The finalists were selected by the Screening Team, which included members from across the district community, including district administrators, principals, a teacher and union representative, school committee members, and a town official.

Each finalist will visit the district on Tuesday, January 27, Wednesday, January 28, or Thursday, January 29 to participate in school tours, community meet-and-greets, and stakeholder interviews (details below). Friday, January 30 will serve as a weather alternative date, if needed. 

Opportunities for staff, students, families, and community members to meet the candidates are as follows:

• Meet & Greet with Staff: 3:30-4:15pm, Miller Multi-Purpose Room

• Community Meet & Greet: 4:30-5:15pm, Miller Multi-Purpose Room

Additional details about these events and how to provide feedback will be shared on the district website.

Following the finalist visits, the School Committee will conduct public interviews, request public feedback (via a survey to be distributed after the final interview), and deliberate prior to appointing the next Superintendent of Schools.  Community members may watch the interviews live via the Holliston Hub (HCAT - on Cable Access or YouTube) or view the recorded sessions afterward.  The specific interview schedule is as follows (all will take place at the High School Library):

• Tuesday, January 27th, 7:30-9:00pm - Dr. James A. “Kimo” Carter

• Wednesday, January 28th, 7:00-8:30pm - Mr. Tim McCormick

• Thursday, January 29th, 7:00-8:30pm - Dr. Jennifer G. Parson

The final selection and vote are expected to take place at a Special School Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 3 at 7:00pm in the High School Library. This will also be broadcast live on HCAT.

The Holliston School Committee is excited to share this accomplished group of candidates with our community. Each finalist brings a strong record of educational leadership and a deep shared commitment to our district’s mission and values. We look forward to engaging with our stakeholders throughout this final phase of the process.

For more information about the superintendent search and to view candidate materials, visit https://www.holliston.k12.ma.us/about/school-committee/superintendent-search.

Finally, we will be holding two Office Hours to provide an opportunity for community members to share feedback and ask questions.

Holliston School Committee Office Hours:

• Saturday, January 31, 9:00-10:00am - Coffee Haven

• Sunday, February 1, 3:00-4:00pm - Rushford & Sons 

These informal sessions are open to all and are intended to support dialogue, transparency, and community engagement as we move forward in the superintendent search process. We hope you will join us. 

 

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About Holliston Public Schools
Holliston Public Schools’ is a PreK-12th grade public school district serving approximately 2,650 students across four schools.  The district provides an inclusive and positive school culture for all students, along with innovative academic and enrichment programs, including French Immersion, Montessori, and Global Citizens pathways.

 

 

 

 

The Holliston School Committee would like to share an update on the Superintendent Search and outline the next steps in the process as we work toward selecting our district’s next leader.

We are grateful for the strong engagement from our community throughout this search and remain committed to a thoughtful, transparent, and rigorous process that reflects Holliston’s values and priorities.

 

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Where We Are Now

The Superintendent Screening Team was announced at School Committee meetings last fall and includes:

Hilary Bresnahan - Holliston School Committee/Parent

Keith Buday - Ret. Assist Superintendent of Finance & Operations/Community Member

David List - Holliston High School Principal

Dawn Neborsky - Holliston School Committee/Parent

Jaime Slaney - Placentino Elementary Principal

Ben Sparell - Holliston Select Board/Parent

Alex Strum - Holliston Teacher/Holliston Federation of Teachers Representative

Jariel Vergne - Holliston Director of Social Emotional Learning & Equity

At this time, Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) is actively recruiting, reviewing applications, and conducting reference checks in order to prepare a slate of well-qualified individuals for consideration by the Screening Team. They report that this is a highly competitive search, and we are encouraged by the strong interest from a diverse pool of strong candidates.

 

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What’s Next

By late January, the Screening Team will meet with the slated candidates. Each candidate will participate in an interview, with all candidates asked the same questions during a 90-minute session. 

 

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Opportunities for Community Engagement

There will be multiple opportunities for community engagement and feedback throughout the search process. Finalized details will be shared as they are confirmed.

• January 10, 2026: School Committee Office Hours at Coffee Haven, 9:00–10:00 a.m.

• January 13, 2026: School Committee Office Hours at Holliston Public Library (Gilman Room), 7:00–8:00 p.m.

• During the Finalist District Visit/Interviews: Community meet and greet opportunities and a feedback survey will be distributed

 

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Search Timeline

• January 26, 2026 (tentative): Finalists Announced

• January 27-29, 2026 (tentative): Finalists will come to Holliston for a full day visit. The schedule for the full day visit will include meetings with school administration, teachers, students, parents, community, and town administration. They will be interviewed publicly by the School Committee at the end of their visits. 

• Early February (date to be communicated later): The School Committee will vote on the next Superintendent of Schools subject to contract negotiations.

 

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We appreciate the community’s continued interest and support throughout this important process. Updates will continue to be shared as we move through each phase of the search.

Sincerely,
The Holliston School Committee

 

Holliston Families, Community Members, HPS Staff, and Students —

As part of the process outlined in our previous update on the Superintendent Search, we are pleased to announce three community forums where we invite everyone to share their feedback and perspectives. Your input is essential in helping us find the ideal match for Holliston’s next superintendent.

We are offering both in-person and virtual opportunities to participate:

• Wednesday, November 5 at 9:00 AM — Upper Town Hall

• Wednesday, November 5 at 12:30 PM —The Center, 150 Goulding St.

• Thursday, November 6 at 7:00 PM — Virtual via Zoom (link is below)

During these sessions, representatives from HYA Associates, the executive search firm supporting our process, will facilitate open discussions to gather community input on the qualities, experiences, and priorities most important for our next superintendent. Feedback from these forums will directly inform the development of the leadership profile and guide the search process.

We encourage all members of our community to attend and make your voice heard as part of this important process.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support.

— The Holliston School Committee

School Committee is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: HYA Community Forum
Time: Nov 6, 2025 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://holliston-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/84040457043?pwd=WUbwpJ0b1q98cNdCl5DTavRQwU4eSu.1

Meeting ID: 840 4045 7043
Passcode: 747744

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Dear Members of the Holliston Public School District and greater Holliston Community:
 
The Holliston School Committee (HSC)  is beginning the process of searching for a new superintendent and has asked the firm, Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) to help the Board with the process.
 
As one of the initial steps in the process, the HSC would like to seek your input on the desired characteristics and skills that you would like to see in the next Superintendent. Please share your thoughts by responding to the survey linked below.

https://hyasurvey.com/Holliston
 
On behalf of the HSC, thank you for taking the time to respond. We will be sharing more ways to be involved with the search process over the coming days. We will be holding Community Forums on November 5th and 6th as well as focus group discussions over the next few weeks. The Committee members, along with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, appreciate your willingness to participate and look forward to learning your perspective.
 

 

Sincerely,
 
The Holliston School Committee

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Dear Holliston Families, Staff, and Community Members,

The Holliston School Committee is pleased to announce that Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) has been selected as the executive search firm to assist in the recruitment and selection of our next Superintendent of Schools.

HYA is a nationally recognized firm with extensive experience working with districts of all sizes, including many throughout Massachusetts and across New England. Their work is grounded in community engagement, data-driven candidate evaluation, and a commitment to helping school systems find leaders who align with their vision, values, and future goals.

Search Process and Timeline

The Holliston School Committee and HYA will now begin a multi-phase process designed to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and community voice:

1. Planning & Stakeholder Input (October–November 2025)
   HYA will meet with School Committee members, district staff, families, and community stakeholders to gather input on the qualities and priorities desired in our next Superintendent. This will include focus groups, interviews, and a community-wide survey.

2. Leadership Profile Development (November 2025)
   Based on the feedback collected, HYA will develop a comprehensive Leadership Profile Report that defines the ideal characteristics and qualifications sought in the next Superintendent. This report will be shared publicly.

3. Candidate Recruitment and Screening (December 2025–January 2026)
   HYA will actively recruit and screen qualified candidates nationwide, ensuring a diverse pool of applicants who meet the leadership criteria identified by our community.

4. Selection Process (February 2026)
   The School Committee will review top candidates, conduct interviews, and hold finalist sessions that include opportunities for public engagement and feedback.

5. Appointment (February 2026)
   The goal is to appoint a new Superintendent by February 2026, allowing for a smooth transition and onboarding before the 2026–2027 school year begins.

Community Engagement

Your voice is a vital part of this process. In the coming weeks, we will share details about upcoming opportunities for participation — including community forums, listening sessions, and the online survey to gather input on what qualities are most important in our next educational leader.

The Holliston School Committee remains committed to a thoughtful and transparent search process that reflects the needs, priorities, and aspirations of our schools and community.

We thank you for your continued partnership and engagement as we take this important step in shaping the future of Holliston Public Schools.

With appreciation,
The Holliston School Committee

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