CHICOPEE, Mass. - The city of Chicopee is set to announce its new superintendent of schools Tuesday and school leaders are hopeful the new permanent leader will address the district’s academic needs.

The city has had an interim superintendent since last spring. Former superintendent Lynn Clarke was charged with lying to the FBI about threatening messages sent to a candidate during the hiring process for Chicopee’s police chief.

Alvin Morton has been serving as the interim superintendent since last May and is in the running for the position along with Lee-Tyringham superintendent Michael Richard and Marcus Ware from the Windham, Connecticut public schools.

School Committee member Sam Shumsky said recent incidents like the fight at a high school Thanksgiving Day football game are a huge concern and leadership at the position is needed now more than ever.

"Someone who is going to create more opportunities for our students," said Shumsky. "Someone who is going to provide a positive environment for our staff and someone who is going to help lead the district and attack the problems that we're currently facing such as discipline."

Chicopee will make an official announcement for the new superintendent on Tuesday night at city hall when the school committee is scheduled to meet.