ROCHESTER — Selectmen appointed one of their members, Woody Hartley as a member of the Old Rochester Regional High School Superintendent Screening Committee on Jan. 6.

Rochester resident Jim O’Brien appeared at the meeting to volunteer for the committee. However, Selectmen felt that before appointing O’Brien as a representative they would have to conduct a search for candidates outside the board.

Selectmen are short on time to do that, as the screening committee to replace Superintendent Doug White, who plans to retire in June, is due to meet for the first time on Jan. 7. 

“I believe they want input from the select board,” said Hartley, before volunteering for the position.

Fellow Selectman Brad Morse asked if it was a conflict of interest because Hartley’s wife, Sharon is on the School Committee.

Woody Hartley said it was not, because his wife was not on this committee, and that none of his relatives are on the committee.

Morse was satisfied with his response.

O’Brien said that the consultant that the school has picked to help with the search, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, is a good group, but said that the superintendent position is a very complex one, with three towns and budgets.