NK Superintendent Is Cumberland's Top Choice To Lead District

North Kingstown may be one step closer to losing its superintendent. The Valley Breeze reports that Dr. Philip Thornton has been selected as the Cumberland School Committee’s choice to take the helm as the district’s superintendent.

In a 6-1 vote Tuesday following a closed-door session, the committee selected Thornton over Michael Lazzareschi, principal of Nathan Bishop Middle School in Providence.

“My feeling is that Dr. Thornton was the right choice for us right now,” said Cumberland School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Mutter. “I sense that he wants to get things done and so do we. We would feel very lucky to have him at the helm.”

According to the Valley Breeze, Thornton will be offered a base salary of $150,000 – $3,000 above his current salary in North Kingstown and $23,000 more than outgoing superintendent Donna Morelle.

“We want to demonstrate that we’re serious about this,” said Mutter of the pay increase between Morelle and Thornton. “We need to put our money where our mouth is and that’s what we did. I know it’s a big jump but we’re looking to make big jumps.”

Though Thornton has yet to officially put in his notice with the North Kingstown School Department, the North Kingstown School Committee is ready to get process started if he decides to accept the job.

According to newly elected Chairwoman Kimberly Page, the committee may schedule a special meeting in July to form a superintendent search committee. It will be the fifth superintendent the district has had since 2007.

“My first reaction is I’m disappointed [that Thornton is leaving],” said Page. “He does a great job here and I was hoping he would stay, but we have to move on.”

One potential replacement could be Assistant Superintendent Philip Auger, who says he may pursue the vacant position in North Kingstown.

“I am certainly considering applying for the position,” said Auger. “I haven’t made my decision yet, but I am interested.”

As for the “philosophical differences” with School Committee members Thornton cited as part of his motive to leave, Auger doesn’t believe it will be a big problem for him if he does ascend to the position.

“I would probably share the same frustrations that Phil [Thornton] has, but I feel like I have a pretty good relationship with everyone on the committee,” said Auger, who adds he would work to make the whole program more “harmonious.”

Auger has worked side-by-side with Thornton for the past two years in North Kingstown and before that when both worked for the Chariho school district.

“I’m going to miss him,” said Auger. “We’re a good team. We both have jobs that we enjoy doing and I think we do them pretty well and do them well with each other.”