max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
Michelle McKeon, the assistant superintendent for the North Attleborough Schools, has been named as one of three finalists for the next Mansfield Superintendent, according to an announcement from the district.
The other finalists are East Bridgewater Public Schools Superintendent Elizabeth Legault and Middleboro Public Schools Superintendent Carolyn Lyons. The person chosen would succeed Mansfield Superintendent Teresa Murphy, who will retire in June.
“The finalists were recommended to the School Committee by the Superintendent Search Committee, which consists of 13 members who represent a cross-section of the Mansfield school community, including School Committee members, town officials, parents/guardians, administrators, teachers, staff, and one MHS student,” the announcement read.
McKeon has served as the assistant superintendent of North Attleborough Public Schools since 2019, according to the announcement. Prior to this, she held several positions within North Attleborough Public Schools, including principal, lead elementary principal, assistant principal, and elementary and special education teacher.
Legault has served as superintendent of East Bridgewater Public Schools for 10 years. Prior to that, she served as the superintendent of Whitehall Central School District in New York. She has also worked in the Central Falls School District in Rhode Island as a principal, assistant principal and physical education teacher.
Lyons has served as the superintendent of Middleborough Public Schools since 2022. Prior to assuming this position, she was the director of pupil personnel services and was the secondary special education TEAM facilitator in Middleborough.
The Mansfield School Committee began the search process in December by sharing a survey with district stakeholders as part of its community engagement efforts. In total, the committee received 394 responses from stakeholders discussing their wants and hopes for the next superintendent. In mid-December, the committee hosted in-person and virtual listening sessions to seek additional input. The district received 22 applications for the position.
The three finalists, Legault, Lyons, and McKeon, will visit the district on Feb. 3, 4, and 5. The committee will interview each candidate on Feb. 8 and will meet again on Feb. 10 to deliberate and make its decision. The finalist will be introduced at the Feb. 11 School Committee meeting.