The search for Barrington’s next superintendent has started. 

The firm that has partnered with the School Committee in conducting the search — Hazard, Young, Attea Associates — is holding a series of focus groups during the week of Jan. 8 to 13, and is seeking the participation from community stakeholders.

A focus group for Barrington residents who are neither parents/guardians of Barrington Public School students nor employed by the school district will take place virtually on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at 10 a.m. 

Residents who would like to participate in the community focus group should complete the form linked here: https://forms.gle/xLbVARnRzpM2nRsX9

Different focus group sessions for Barrington Public Schools families and staff members will also be taking place during the week of Jan. 8 to 13. (Please note that Barrington residents who fall into either of these categories have already received information about the family and staff focus groups and should not sign up to participate in this community focus group.)

Feedback from all of these focus group sessions will help officials from Hazard, Young, Attea Associates determine what Barrington community members are looking for in the district’s next superintendent and will help guide the Barrington School Committee as it moves forward with the search, interview, and hiring processes this school year. 

Current Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore announced in September that he planned to retire at the end of the school year. Messore has worked in education for nearly 40 years; he has worked in Barrington Schools for the last 24 years, including 12 as superintendent. 

Salary range $265,000-$290,000

During the Barrington School Committee meeting on Thursday, Jan. 4, officials discussed the search for Barrington’s next superintendent and what salary range to include when listing the job opening.

Committee member TJ Peck said the consultants recommended a salary range of $265,000 to $290,000 for Barrington’s next school superintendent. In addition, the consultants called for the job offer to include a $15,000 signing bonus and $10,000 relocation compensation. 

Committee member Frazier Bell asked if that salary range was consistent with superintendents in Rhode Island. 

Peck said the starting pay for superintendents is about $200,000, according to the consultant. But, Barrington officials asked the consultant team what range would be competitive for superintendents working in the metro-Boston area and in Fairfield County in Connecticut. 

Bell said those two areas are some of the most expensive places to live in the country. Aubrey Lombardo, the Committee’s attorney, said she had a list of all the superintendents in Rhode Island and how much they earn. 

Bell said he wants to be able to explain the salary range to people when they ask him.

Peck said hiring the right superintendent for Barrington would hopefully lead to finding efficiencies in the district. Committee member Megan Douglas disagreed — she said she did not envision a superintendent would help save the district money.