FORBES

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — The Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School Committee unanimously selected East Providence Schools Supt. Jacqueline Forbes as its next leader.

Chief among their reasons was her “apparent strength” in curriculum, which the district plans to focus on in the coming years.

She and Ann Bradshaw — who leads the Mashpee, Mass., school district — were the two finalists vying to replace Schools Supt. George Guasconi, who is retiring.

The extensive search for a school leader for the district — which has seven schools and about 6,000 students — began in November. The process included a consultant, a search committee, research from news articles, interviews and site visits to the finalists’ current district.

“These two applicants are extremely well qualified,” member Geoffrey Domenico said at the special meeting where neither finalist was in attendance. “… Either one would be a good superintendent anywhere.”

He seemed to prefer Forbes’ “forceful” leadership style over Bradshaw’s approach, which he described as “low-key” and “less visible,” and was impressed with Forbes’ willingness to testify repeatedly before Rhode Island’s General Assembly for unfunded mandates and educational reform.

Committee member Joseph Gillis Jr. said it was apparent only one of the two had a “clear understanding and focus on curriculum and instruction,” which is what’s most important to him.

Forbes began as a teacher 34 years ago and moved up to be a principal in Barrington, one of Rhode Island’s leading school districts. She became East Providence’s assistant superintendent eight years ago and was given the top spot two years ago.

“Who is going to take us to the next level, bring us to the forefront, as we focus almost all of our attention on curriculum?” Committee Chairman Gordon D. Luciano asked, and then answered with a nod for Forbes.

Member Ronald W. Pacy said, “… I think she will give us the leadership we need to take us to a place of excellence.”

Forbes accepted the job, pending a successful negotiation of a contract, after she was called last night. The regional district advertised it would like the new hire to begin July 1, but Luciano said it will try to meet Forbes’ needs as well. There isn’t a residency requirement to be its superintendent, so Forbes said she will make the 45-minute daily drive in the beginning and reassess afterward.

“I hope to transfer the success that I had in East Providence to this school district,” Forbes said in a phone call last night with The Journal. She said she will focus on curriculum and said it is what she’s “best at” given that was the subject of her PhD work.

As for leaving East Providence, she said, “I have mixed emotions because eight of my best years were in East Providence. I won’t forget the connection I made here and I’ll be a phone call away.”

She plans to announce her retirement from the East Providence school district soon.

apina@projo.com