Granby School Committee Unanimously Offers Superintendent Post to Interim Leader

GRANBY -- April 7, 2025, Granby School Committee unanimously chose interim superintendent Mary Jane Rickson as its pick for permanent superintendent on April 7. The 4-0 vote came after back-to-back open-session finalist interviews with Rickson and Dr. Joanie Manard, an assistant superintendent from Holliston, followed by deliberations in which all four committee members cited Rickson's student-centered focus, her familiarity with the district after eight months as interim, and what member Liz Leon called a clearly collaborative decision-making approach. Anonymous staff feedback read aloud during the meeting raised concerns about Manard's superintendent-level experience and a reported vote of no confidence from a prior district. Member Todd Dier said he found it "worrisome" that Manard stated she had no regrets about past decisions. The committee moved immediately into executive session to begin contract negotiations with Rickson under MGL Chapter 30A, Section 21, with no return to open session. The board also voted unanimously to submit a Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for Granby Junior-Senior High School at 387 East State Street, covering energy systems and obsolete building categories.