NORTH HAVERHILL — Former SAU 6 Superintendent Michael Tempesta withdrew his name from consideration for the top post at SAU 23.

Tempesta was fired from SAU 6, which includes Claremont and Unity, earlier this month. The SAU 23 School Board subsequently named him as candidate to replace the retiring Laurie Melanson for the district that includes Haverhill, Piermont and three other Grafton County towns. No reason was cited for Tempesta’s decision.

Tempesta was hired by SAU 6 in 2019 and given a five-year contract extension in 2021. The SAU 6 board did not provide a reason for firing Tempesta, who was a finalist for the superintendent’s job in Hull, Mass., though that district did not hire him. SAU 6 will pay Tempesta his salary of $140,000 with benefits for six months as per his contract with the district.

— Patrick O’Grady