BY DARRELL HALEN

An assistant superintendent of schools for the Manchester School District has been chosen as the top administrator for Windham and Pelham schools.

Dr. Frank Bass was unanimously chosen by the members of the School Administrative Unit 28 school board, which consists of the school board members for Pelham and Windham.

He is succeeding Superintendent Elaine Cutler, who is retiring. He will take over on July 1.

Bass is completing his fifth year in his current job as assistant superintendent of schools for the Manchester School District, where he oversees secondary education, curriculum and programs for at-risk students.

“I think one of the highlights to both districts is the fact he has quite a background and depth of experience in secondary education,” said Bruce Anderson, chairman of the SAU school board, who announced Bass’ selection.

“That’s been his focus in Manchester.”

That experience is important to Windham, which is building a high school, and to Pelham, which has some decisions to make about the future of its high school, Anderson said.

Anderson said that board members also believe Bass will interact well with the public.

Two other administrators who were finalists for the job were John Moulis, the superintendent of the Berlin School District and Superintendent Kathleen Murphy of the Newmarket School District. All three finalists were interviewed by the SAU school board on Friday, March 9.

Anderson said board members had a tough choice to make and believe all three were qualified for the job. They had to determine whom they thought would be the best fit for the district, he said.

Bass previously served six years as principal of Hollis-Brookline High School. He has worked as an English teacher, coordinator of programs for highly capable students and adjunct professor, according to the announcement.

Bass received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of New Hampshire, a master’s degree in the same subject from Middlebury College and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Boston College.

Bass will earn a starting annual salary of $115,000.