The screening committee tasked with appointing an interim superintendent for the Public Schools of Brookline has selected four candidates as finalists, and the School Committee will interview each candidate publicly next week.
The screening committee privately interviewed six candidates between June 3 and 11, and aims to finalize a contract for the interim superintendent by the week of June 16.
All four finalists have previous experience as superintendents — a new requirement in the job description for the position.
Unlike in past searches, the current job listing for interim superintendent does not include a clause barring the interim superintendent from applying for the permanent position, potentially raising the stakes of the short-term appointment.
Maureen Binienda, former superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools and longtime educator in Worcester, has also served as interim superintendent in two school districts. She currently serves on Worcester’s School Committee. Binienda has “extensive education experience at the building and central office levels of building strong leadership teams,” according to her resume.
Barbara Cataldo, currently the interim superintendent in Hingham and a past superintendent in Cohasset Public Schools, has also held multiple positions related to special education, including Director of Special Education in Arlington Public Schools and Special Needs Coordinator in Cambridge. On her resume, Cataldo describes herself as a “strategic and collaborative educational leader” with strong leadership and team-building skills.
The screening committee will publicly interview Binienda and Cataldo on June 16.
Bella Wong has 16 years of superintendent experience across the Wellesley Public Schools, Lincoln Sudbury Regional School District and Natick Public Schools, where she is currently an interim superintendent. Wong is a Brookline native and attended the Runkle School and Brookline High School, and her experience in Brookline schools inspired her to become an educator, she said in her resume.
Robert Wargo has been superintendent of the Barrington Public Schools in Barrington, Rhode Island since 2024 and previously served three years as superintendent of Weymouth Public Schools. He has also worked as a principal, guidance counselor and athletic director in multiple districts. Wargo also has experience managing federal and state grants and providing professional development, according to his resume.
The screening committee will publicly interview Wong and Wargo on June 17.