John Shea, former Somersworth school principal, leading candidate to be superintendent
SOMERSWORTH — John Shea could be coming back to the city, this time as superintendent of Somersworth and Rollinsford schools.
Shea stepped down from his position as principal of Somersworth High School in 2019 after one year, citing health reasons. Now he's excited to return.
"I had never envisioned working at the district level, not prior to now," said Shea, 60. "I've always loved working at the school level, as a principal, teacher, coach, advisor. But several good people encouraged me to think harder about it — successfully so — and I now find myself very excited about the prospect of serving as Somersworth's superintendent. As Rollinsford's, too."
The public is invited to a meet and greet for Shea Thursday, March 7, at 6 p.m. in city hall chambers.
Prior to coming to Somersworth, Shea served at Spaulding High School in Rochester and Berwick Academy in Maine. Most recently, he served as the interim head of school of Cambridge Academy Ethiopia in Addis Ababa. He wrote about his experience in a series of columns published by Foster's Daily Democrat in 2023.
Somersworth School Board Chair Maggie Larson said Shea is not under contract yet, and Thursday's event is intended to introduce him and to get public input about his candidacy for the position. She said the district had received 10 applicants..
"We will meet as a board on Tuesday, March 12 for a possible vote and if that is a positive nomination vote, we will work on a contract," said Larson. "We are really enthused about bringing John back into the community and we want this process to be completely holistic. We sought input from the union, the administration and from Rollinsford. So now we are taking it to the community, to make sure we bring this to all the stakeholders."
Shea said educators in Somersworth and Rollinsford are looking forward
Shea is seeking the superintendent's seat currently occupied by Lou Goscinski, a retired, York, Maine, schools superintendent who agreed to serve one year as interim superintendent in Somersworth. Goscinski was hired to help lead Somersworth schools into a new era after Superintendent Lori Lane resigned in 2023. Lane and school district director of operations Dana Hilliard had been investigated and cited by the School Board for verbally abusive and demeaning behavior toward school building administrators and staff.
Last month, Shea visited all the schools in both Somersworth and Rollinsford.
"My day-long visit a couple of weeks ago to Idlehurst, Maple Wood, Rollinsford Grade School, Somersworth Middle School, the high school, the career tech center, and the central office pretty much cemented my decision," Shea said. "There are so many caring and dedicated educators in this district. And so much hope. It's been a rough stretch the past few years, but not a single person I met was interested in talking about the past. And the students I spoke with were inspiring. I really do adore this community. I'd be very excited about returning."
Larson said the board is impressed with Shea.
"We saw in John such a commitment to Somersworth," Larson said. "He is enthusiastic and motivated. We think he will bring a positive impact to our community. Somersworth is unique, and I believe he gets that."
Shea said he would want to be innovative in his approach to the district if selected as the new superintendent.
"I've said more than a few times over the years that we desperately need superintendents who are visionary and courageous. who are good, caring, competent leaders, hardworking, and honest, too," he said. "But we are in particular need of vision and courage. Our school systems need it — our students, our families, our teachers need it. We can do so much better for our kids, and I believe we absolutely have to. It's time to step up and serve in this capacity."
Shea's experience in education
Shea provided some highlights from his career prior to his time at Cambridge Academy Ethiopia, which ended in 2023:
Served abroad as the high school principal of the American Embassy School (in Delhi, India) and at the International School of Panama (in Panama City).
Locally, he served as the upper school director at Berwick Academy… and then as the principal of Spaulding High School.
Co-founded and co-led the start-up of the public charter school in San Diego featured in the education documentary "Most Likely to Succeed" (High Tech High).
Started as a teacher at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (Also taught at the Eagle Rock School in Colorado.)
Currently certified by the state of New Hampshire as both a principal and superintendent. He holds a master's in education from the University of Washington and a master's in business administration from Harvard Business School.
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: John Shea may return to Somersworth as superintendent of schools
