Bodwell Announces Retirement, Panel Launches Search

School Committee · Meeting of October 5, 2026

West Bridgewater's School Committee accepted Superintendent Mark Bodwell's retirement and launched a search for his successor. Bodwell, retiring effective June 30, 2027 after 30 years in the district, wrote that he remains "fully committed to assisting the district with a smooth transition." The committee voted 5-0 by roll call to amend his contract to the new end date, then voted unanimously to hire the Massachusetts Association of School Committees for $11,500 to run the search, beating out bids as high as $24,000 from the Collins Center for Public Management. MASC field representative Sean Costello said the process typically takes three to four months and should draw "anywhere from 10 to 25 applicants." Members Robin Dragonetti and Carol Lizardi, the board's longest-serving members, were appointed to the search subcommittee, with Lizardi elected chair.

Separately, the committee held off on a roughly $1.2 million secure-entrance project for two elementary schools pending cost-cutting talks with the town.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,901 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of October 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.