SOUTH HADLEY — The Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School is in the midst of a national search for a new executive director.
As the charter school’s 25th anniversary approaches this spring, PVPA officials say they’re accepting applications for the position until next week, after which a search committee will interview candidates. David Potter, the president of the board of trustees, said in a phone interview Friday that the school hopes to have a new leader in position by July 1.
“I think we’re looking for someone with long term vision and ideas as to expansion and maintaining the viability and renown of the school,” Potter said.
Brent Nielsen, who previously served as director of student services, has been interim executive director at PVPA since January 2021. He took over for Marc Kenen, who had served as the school’s head since April 2018. Kenen was named to that position after the board fired his predecessor, George Simpson, after he was arrested on drug charges that were eventually dismissed, according to the Woburn District Court clerk’s office.
Instead of conducting a formal search for a director, Potter said that Nielsen was kept in the interim role because so much was in flux during the COVID-19 pandemic and transitioning between remote learning, hybrid learning and finally in-person learning with precautions.
It was also in 2018 that the school’s staff unionized with the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, or UAW, Local 2322 — one of the few charter schools in the entire state to unionize. At the end of 2020, the school and union agreed to a three-year contract.
“Now is the time for the community to move forward together and put a leader in place who will kick-start our next chapter with energy and vision,” Potter said.
The co-chairs of PVPA’s educators union — Karin Kayser, a member of the executive search committee, and Felice Santorelli — said in a statement Friday that the union and its members “are excited for strong candidates committed to the arts and academics, transparent and collaborative leadership, and supporting educators as we approach renegotiating our collective bargaining agreement next year.”
The search committee intends to make an offer to a candidate before May 1. Ahead of that decision, a group of finalists will be invited to campus for a series of small-group sessions.
“It’s really important for us that we provide an opportunity for groups of students, staff, and parents to interact with the candidates and give their feedback to the board,” said Marty Espinola, the committee’s chair of the committee and board of trustees vice president.
Dusty Christensen can be reached at dchristensen@gazettenet.com.