After months of searching, the Tiverton School Committee appointed Christopher J. Haskins as the new superintendent of the Tiverton School District, pending contract ratification.

Haskins began his teaching career as an elementary school teacher at Seven Hills Charter School in Worcester before teaching in Central Falls and Attleboro. He has 11 years of experience as a principal in Cranston and Westerly and was named superintendent of the Paul Cuffee Charter School in Providence in 2014. He received his master's in education from Bridgewater State University and took coursework for his superintendent certificate at Providence College.

If a contract is reached, Haskins will replace outgoing superintendent Peter Sanchioni, whose last day is Monday, June 30.

Haskins was voted in last Wednesday by a vote of 3-2, after school committee members interviewed fellow candidates Laryssa M. Doherty, Ed.d. of Providence and Michael Whaley, Ed.d. of West Warwick a week earlier. Committee members Kimberly Paquette and Elane Pavao voted against Haskins’ confirmation.

Committee chairwoman Diane Farnworth said that in her opinion, Haskins answered committee members’ questions “more directly and succinctly than any other candidate.”

“I do not doubt that you’re going to make many friends and fans in our district,” she told him. “You have my full support.”

Not all agreed, Paquette said after the vote: “I just had a different vision, for I wanted to see us start completely over and just go forward,” she said, adding that if she is proven wrong, she will publicly apologize.

Haskins’ plan

“I’ve admired the Tiverton School District from afar for many years,” Haskins said, adding that he understands that Tiverton is not a “blank canvas” and he will implement his own 90 day plan to get up to speed and learn all he can.

“I look forward to working with you so I can continue the great tradition of excellence within the school system.