Holliston Public Schools — Admin hiring

Holliston Public Schools has been filling key administrative roles through an open committee process, beginning with the groundwork for its next superintendent. In November 2025, after interviews, forums, and a survey, search firm HYA presented a leadership profile for the superintendent search that emphasized compassionate and resilient leadership, collaboration, and support for equity and inclusion. The committee approved that profile unanimously, setting the criteria for the hiring work that followed.

In January 2026, the committee turned to another central office position, unanimously appointing Jess Beattie as Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, subject to contract negotiations, after public comments supported the appointment. Then, in June 2026, the committee closed out the cycle by unanimously approving Superintendent James Carter's recommendation to appoint Howard \u201cHowie\u201d Barber as Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations, following two public finalist interviews and subject to contract negotiations.

Together, these alerts show a deliberate, public-facing approach to building out the district's leadership team—from shaping the superintendent search profile, to filling the student services post, to selecting a finance and operations leader from among finalists.