By LINDSAY OLIVIER
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NORTH KINGSTOWN — In a letter sent to school committee members last Wednesday, interim superintendent Dr. Philip Thornton asked for the committee‘s consideration in naming him the next superintendent of the North Kingstown school district.

“When I began as interim in early July, I had no intention of applying for superintendent. I’m a father of two young children, ages 7 and 3, and I needed to be honest with my family and at that time it wouldn’t work,” he said.

But when the last candidate, superintendent of the Burrillville school district, H. Steven Welford, was eliminated, Thornton said he spoke with his family again at length.

“I have gotten to the place here I believe I can do this work, be there for my family and represent North Kingstown well,” he said.

Committee vice-chair April Brunelle is very happy and excited that he’s put his name in. both the School Committee and Search Committee asked Thornton numerous times to consider.

“These past few months, Dr. Thornton has performed above and beyond his duties. When the high school had a bomb scare, principal issues and the budget process, he’s handled everything great,” she said.

Brunelle said that while out at school and sports events, parents and teachers would ask her “can’t we just hire him?”

“He’s very approachable and delegates tasks well. The community has asked the school committee not to settle for second and to please find the best superintendent and we have,” Brunelle said.

The school committee will meet with the superintendent search committee during an executive session before the Jan. 27 school committee meeting to discuss how to proceed, whether to go back to a search or accept Dr. Thornton’s request.