The School Committee has finalized the hiring process, confirming a 3-year contract with a starting annual salary of $142,000.
Suzanne Scallion, who will become superintendent of schools in Westfield on July 1, will begin work at the School Department on Monday.WESTFIELD – Her starting date is July 1 but Suzanne Scallion will be at the School Department June 27 to prepare for her new role as superintendent of schools here.
Scallion earlier this week said she is “eager to begin” and return to Massachusetts after nearly three years as an elementary school principal in Napa, Calif. She served as principal at Leeds Elementary School in Northampton from September 2002 until June 2008.
The School Committee appointed Scallion to succeed the retiring Shirley Alvira as superintendent here last month.
The committee finalized the hiring process Monday night, confirming a three-year contract with a starting annual salary of $142,000. Alvira, who will retire July 9 after four years as superintendent, earns $131,840.
Committee vice chairman Mary Beth Ogulewicz Sacco said Tuesday the contract does not include moving expenses from California to Westfield.
Scallion previously said she plans to reside in Easthampton in a home she owned before traveling to California.
“I am very excited about getting started. I am ready to dive in,” Scallion said of her new position.
First on her agenda, after meeting with school administrators and staff Monday, will be a tour of Munger Hill Elementary School and its roof damage from the June 1 tornado.
“Thank God the kids were not in the building at the time,” she said.
Scallion was selected on a 4-3 vote of the School Committee. She holds a doctorate degree in education from the University of Massachusetts and a master's degree from Bridgewater State University.
Scallion was selected by the committee over South Middle School principal Ronald R. Rix. Rix received three votes from the School Committee during its May 9 vote.