Brewster School Board Appoints Temporary Superintendent to Start in January
With unwavering support, an interim superintendent was appointed in the Brewster school district during last Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting.
Current Deputy Superintendent Timothy Conway will take over for outgoing Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jane Sandbank starting in January. Conway was unanimously appointed by the school board about a month after Sandbank announced she was going to resign for purpose of retirement.
Conway, who has been the right hand man for Sandbank for many years, was praised by his boss.
Sandbank said his work hasn’t just been managing the budget and other financial issues, but tackling curriculum and facility maintenance. Sandbank said he was also highly respected by the board, faculty, fellow administrators and the community.
“(He’s) shown such talent, loyalty and experience with the district and its mission,” Sandbank said in an interview. “And I believe he has enormous leadership qualities.”
“He’s a great listener, he’s very knowledgeable, he understands the culture and the vision and beliefs of this district and what a meaningful education looks like in Brewster,” Sandbank went on to say. “And will carry on what we’ve been doing.”
Conway has primarily handled the budget, most notably last year when large cuts were looming for the district, but programs were salvaged after more state aid was received and a new contract with the teachers union was reached. Sandbank said someone would temporarily be hired to fill Conway’s position.
“We would bring that person in to take over many fiscal responsibilities and especially during budget time,” Sandbank said.
And with all the glowing words toward Conway, Sandbank is confident that the mid-school year transition will go smoothly. She said if he had to take over the district tomorrow, the schools wouldn’t miss a beat.
“He’s a very experiences leader and he certainly knows Brewster better than anybody,” Sandbank said.
