NORWELL — Oct. 26, 2026 — The Norwell School Committee took a voice vote Monday, with only ayes recorded, to hire NESDEC for $13,760 to search for a successor to retiring Superintendent Matt Keegan, aiming to name one by February. District officials also said keeping current services in fiscal 2028 would cost $1,137,161 more, and staff have been told positions could be cut if the budget is level-funded.
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The chair credited Keegan with about 20 years leading the district, through two override votes, the COVID pandemic and acceptance into the state school building program for a new high school, and that Norwell has had only three superintendents in 56 years.
The committee reviewed three proposals: from a Connecticut firm, CES; from a second firm; and from NESDEC. The Chair, Kristin McEachern, said NESDEC offered the widest reach to New England candidates, three pages of references, a guarantee to redo the search at no added cost if it fails or the hire leaves, and a 20% member discount, and was the least expensive at $13,760. Liz Bersell said NESDEC’s search team, with more superintendent experience, fills a gap for the committee.
We would like to name somebody by February, so that they have ample overlap time with Matt. He’ll be here through June.
— Kristin McEachern, School Committee Chair (1:07:40)
The firm is expected at the committee’s November meeting to explain the process, which will begin with community focus groups and a screening committee of roughly 12 to 18 people drawn from parents, faculty, students, alumni and others.
