Lawrence Mayor Lantigua Under Fire Over School Superintendent Search

 LAWRENCE, Mass. (AP) -- Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua is under fire again after pushing a last minute search for a new school superintendent and passing over the woman who has held the job for two years.

The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said Wednesday that officials are concerned that the Lawrence School Committee, which Lantigua chairs, is launching the search within weeks that the temporary appointment expires for Mary Lou Bergeron.

The moves means the troubled school district will likely not have a school chief as it faces an upcoming, wide-ranging review from state officials.

Six of the seven school committee members, up for election in November, are prohibited by state law from hiring any personnel during the last months of terms.

Officials say a search could last four to six months.

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Information from: Eagle Tribune

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