SOMSD Superintendents Past, Current, and Future

Just a quick history/timeline of SOMSD Superintendent duration, with "where they are now" based from a couple of recent (and one not-so-recent) articles:

1979-80: Mel Klein (1 year)

1980-81 to 1988-89: Michael Ross (9 years)

1989-90 to 1997-98: Ralph Lieber (9 years)

1998-99 to 2006-07: Peter Horoschak (9 years)

After leaving SOMSD, spent 5.5 years as Supt in Warwick, RI, which ended with a confidential settlement in 2012.

http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20130212-in-leaving-warwick-schools-superintendent-received-benefits-besides-pay.ece


2007-08 to 2014-15: Brian Osborne (7 yrs):

After 'challenging' year, New Rochelle schools superintendent leaving next summer (2019)

https://www.lohud.com/story/news/education/2018/06/08/breaking-new-rochelle-superintendent-resigning/684679002/


2015-16 to 2016-17: John Ramos (2 yrs):

Could Former Schools Chief Be Involved in Picking His Replacement (for SOMSD starting 2019-20)?

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/soma/articles/could-former-schools-chief-be-involved-in-picking


2017-18 to 2018-19: Thomas Ficarra (interim for 2 yrs)

BOE starting search for next Supt.


Interesting year for Osborne based on that article.  Setting aside the difficult issues he faced, I would be quite happy if our next superintendent left with the accolades the New Rochelle BOE quoted about Osborne: 

“Among the many accomplishments we have achieved together under his leadership over the past four years include enhanced fiscal stability, upgrades to our facilities, significant improvements to consistent and coherent school curriculum, and increased commitment to equity for all students,” 

Horoschak was the most uncreative and traditional bureaucrat I've seen in a long time.  Every year, it was very predictable, he would throw out a budget with a 6-8% increase and after much hand-wringing he would get it down to 4-5% and everyone would say hurrah.  So ineffective as a leader.

Warwick must have been desperate.



In order to add a comment – you must Join this community – Click here to do so.