BOSC names new superintendent

Courtesy: Union Leader

Manchester School District will welcome its new superintendent, Dr. Bolgen Vargas, in October. His appointment was confirmed after the full Board of School Committee voted in favor of offering Dr. Vargas the job and a contract was approved Monday night. 

Dr. Vargas comes to Manchester from Rochester, NY, where he served first as interim then superintendent of Rochester City School District from 2011 until the end of 2015. His previous career experience includes 20 years as a school counselor. Dr. Vargas also served eight years as a Commissioner on the Rochester Board of Education, including four as president.

Members of our school communities had an opportunity to meet and hear from Dr. Vargas during his one-day tour of several schools as part of the final interview process. Parents and students were invited to question and answer sessions at MST, Beech Street and Northwest elementary schools, McLaughlin Middle School, and Central High School. The school board's special committee for the superintendent search also hosted an evening public forum at Memorial High School. 

Courtesy: Union Leader

“The special committee worked hard to identify the right fit for Manchester, and the right candidate to lead our schools,” said Arthur Beaudry, vice chair of the school board. “We know Dr. Vargas will work in the best interests of our students and community.”

The full board of school committee met on September 24 for the final interview and vote to hire Dr. Vargas. 

"I would like to welcome Dr. Vargas to Manchester, and I look forward to working with him on the upcoming budget and redistricting," said Mayor Ted Gatsas, school board chairman. 

Dr. Vargas received his doctorate in Education Leadership and Organization from the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies and a master's degree in school counseling, both from the State University of New York at Brockport.

Dr. Vargas says urban education is not simply a career, but a vocation about which he is passionate. 

"My desire to relocate to Manchester is driven by my commitment to lead an urban district serving a broad socio-economic range of families, from those just arriving to those more established in the community," said Dr. Vargas. "The challenges of the Manchester School District are significant but not insurmountable if we all work together to respond to the needs of each individual student.  It is incumbent upon us to make sure every school is a school of excellence that helps every child succeed in preparation for citizenship and pursuit of a their aspirations such as college, career, military and family life." 

Dr. Vargas and his wife are looking forward to relocating to Manchester with Tesoro, their very spoiled Labrador retriever. They have family in New Hampshire and in Massachusetts and have always enjoyed their visits to the region.