This story has been updated.

Dartmouth has a new superintendent of schools.

The School Committee selected Dr. June Saba-Maguire, assistant superintendent of Brockton Public Schools, to lead the district. 

After making their decision, the committee took a break to inform Dr. Saba-Maguire by phone of their decision. 

A few minutes later, committee member Chris Oliver told the audience that she had “graciously accepted’’ the offer.

In her interview with the committee March 20, Saba-Maguire advocated for collaboration with staff and the community.

“I have an open door policy and I always like to tell people I have the best candy jar in the school district…I say that because it does invite people into your space, sometimes in informal ways where you're really able to make those deep connections,” said Saba-Maguire. 

The final decision on the position, committee members agreed, came down to Dr. Saba-Maguire and Dr. Robert Gerardi, superintendent of New Shoreham School Department on Block Island, R.I. The third finalist was Dr. Andrea Schwamb, assistant superintendent of Wareham Public Schools.

Based on feedback the committee had received, public opinion appeared to be split down the middle between Dr. Saba-Maguire and Dr. Gerardi, committee member Dr. Shannon Jenkins said.

“I see a lot of positives and strengths coming from both of them,’’ Oliver said. “Each of them could lead this district into the future and be the person to represent us.’’

Committee member Kathleen Amaral said she leaned toward Dr. Saba-Maguire. She said she appreciated how her colleagues spoke of the support she has been to them and also appreciated how she viewed situations “through the eyes of a teacher.’’

Dr. Saba-Maguire has worked her entire career in Brockton, moving up the ranks from teacher to administrator to her current role as assistant superintendent.

Committee member Mary Waite praised both candidates but leaned toward Dr. Gerardi. “The diversity of his experience will serve us well,’’ she said, citing his experience with budget challenges and building projects in Woonsocket, R.I. and in Maynard. She also praised his “kindness’’ and “work ethic.’’

His experience in Maynard also included a vote of no confidence taken in 2019 by members of the Maynard Education Association and the Maynard Education Support Association. This vote, which primarily concerned building conditions in a certain school but also cited a lack of transparency, “worries me a little,’’ Dr. Jenkins said.

Committee chair John Nunes said he hadn’t heard about that vote but that he was supporting Dr. Saba-Maguire as “the person that will lead this district. Stable is the one thing that comes to mind,’’ he said, noting her lengthy experience in one district.

She had been scheduled to interview with the Hudson School Committee for a superintendent position in that town on the day after the Dartmouth vote.

In the end, the committee unanimously supported her. When news came that she had accepted the post, the audience burst into applause.

Dr. Saba-Maguire told Oliver that she was “very excited to start our work together.’’

Pending successful contract negotiations, she will succeed Dr. Bonny Gifford, who retired earlier this year.