GRANBY — Mary Jane Rickson will head the district as interim superintendent while the School Committee searches for a permanent replacement for Superintendent Stephen Sullivan, who leaves for a new job in Greenfield at the end of the school year.

The School Committee chose Rickson, currently assistant superintendent at Hampshire Regional School District, from four finalists interviewed last week. With 32 years of experience in educational leadership including past superintendent positions, School Committee Chair Jennifer Bartosz said the committee believed Rickson was the best fit for the district.

“All four candidates were very strong, and we felt very lucky to have such a strong candidate pool,” she wrote in an email.

The committee is still negotiating Rickson’s contract. After the one-year position’s salary and benefits are finalized, the School Committee will begin its search for a permanent superintendent.

With 32 years of experience in educational leadership, Rickson has previously been a superintendent, interim and otherwise, at North Brookfield Public Schools and Maynard Public Schools.

According to a write-up of the candidates by School Committee Vice Chair Jill Pelletier, Rickson said she’s written many budgets that prioritize fiscal responsibility.

The other three candidates were Susan Cargo, Granby’s current curriculum and technology integration coordinator; Deanne Leblanc, director of curriculum at Gateway Regional and Tari Thomas, retired superintendent Orange, Petersham and Mahar Regional School Districts.

All four candidates have ample experience writing grants, leading professional development, incorporating equity-based practices into teaching and implementing new technology and digital teaching material into the current curriculum.

The School Committee began its search in March for a new superintendent after Sullivan announced his new position as Greenfield School Department’s assistant superintendent of teaching and learning. Sullivan spent three years as Granby’s superintendent, and worked as principal in Holyoke High School prior to his district position.

Emilee Klein can be reached at eklein@gazettenet.com.