The superintendent of Barrington Public Schools resigned on Monday night, June 30.

Rob Wargo submitted his resignation at the meeting on Monday night, and committee members, in a 4-0 vote, accepted it, effective immediately. 

Barrington School Committee Chairman TJ Peck read a prepared statement toward the beginning of the meeting. Wargo did not share any comments regarding his resignation during the meeting.

Shortly after the meeting ended, Wargo left the room. When asked why he submitted his resignation, Wargo said, “It’s not something I’m comfortable talking about right now.”

He added: “I have deep appreciation for the community, the staff and the students and the great work that’s happening in Barrington. I don’t want to be a distraction in any way to the work that’s taking place.”

Wargo was, for the last year, one of the highest paid public school employees in the state. He signed a three-year contract last spring — it included a salary of $265,000 per year. He also received a vehicle allowance of $300 per month. 

Barrington conducted a national search for its superintendent, following the retirement of prior superintendent Michael Messore. The school committee hired the firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates to guide the search, which drew applicants from across the country.

Wargo had worked previously as superintendent of Weymouth Public Schools. 

Following Monday night’s meeting, Peck and fellow school committee member Tim McNamara would not comment on Wargo’s resignation. 

“I point to the comment that I made in the meeting,” Peck said. 

Following is the statement shared by Peck during the meeting: “The school committee has accepted Superintendent Wargo’s resignation resignation effective immediately. We thank Superintendent Wargo for his service to our schools, especially his work in helping our district navigate the recent Title IX investigation with professionalism and care — a highly complex and sensitive matter that is entirely unrelated to this leadership decision. The school committee will be appointing an interim superintendent shortly and remains committed to a smooth transition. While any leadership change presents challenges it also offers opportunities for progress. Our priority continues to be serving the best interests of our students, families, and the future of our district as we move through this process.”

After the meeting, Peck said “The next step is we have to find an interim superintendent.”

When asked if the goal was to find a new superintendent by the start of the new school year, Peck said “I don’t think that’s realistic.”

Additional comments

Following the meeting, Wargo stood in the hallway outside the middle school presentation room and offered a few brief comments. 

“It’s always hard to judge what you think people interpret your work as. I think we’ve always tried to be very collaborative. We try to be really present and supportive of all our staff, from district down to building, down to whatever position people have because I truly mean it, we all have an impact on a kid’s life. So, if we all have that same mindset only great things can happen.”

When asked about his vision for the school district, Wargo said “There’s my vision and the vision for the district. No superintendent ever creates the vision for a district. That’s a collaborative process and the development of a strategic plan, which the district has done. 

“My vision is always just create atmospheres so that students can have the best learning experience. Which means love, respect, trust your employees, to let them do the job they know how to do.”

When asked if he wanted to share any more comments with the community, Wargo said “It’s been my pleasure to serve Barrington in any way shape or form I can, and it will always have a place in my heart.”