Update from the Superintendent
January 11, 2024
Assistant Superintendent Screening Committee
WPS seeks people to serve on the Assistant Superintendent Search Committee
To our Watertown Community:
Watertown Public Schools is currently seeking highly qualified candidates to apply for the position of Assistant Superintendent. The selection process for this important position will be comprehensive and ensure the candidates for consideration bring the requisite skills, experiences, characteristics, and understanding of the high expectations we have for this role. Please see the schedule below for information about the process.
This position is at the core of the success of the Watertown Public Schools. The Assistant Superintendent will assist the Superintendent with leading the work of enacting the strategic plan and district priorities, accelerating student academic achievement and social/emotional growth, and supporting the execution of daily operations of all functions in the district as needed. The ideal person will demonstrate strong leadership skills at a Central Office or school-based level, have a background in education, and a belief that every learner will achieve their full potential while striving for academic excellence.
We will be holding a Focus Group for any WPS staff, parents, students, or community members who are interested in providing their thoughts and ideas for this position via Zoom on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, beginning at 4:00 p.m. You may choose to attend the focus group or you are welcome to offer your thoughts by sending an email to Amanda Owens, Director of Human Resources, at amanda.owens@watertown.k12.ma.us by Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
In addition, we are assembling a Screening Committee to assist in the search process whose charge is to review applications, interview candidates, and recommend candidates to the Superintendent as finalists for the position. The 14-person Screening Committee will be comprised of the following:
Director of Human Resources - Facilitator
Director of Student Services
Director of DEIB
Principal
WEA Union Representative
One Coordinator/Director
One School Committee Member
One Community Member
One student
One parent
Two teachers (one PK-5; one 6-12)
One Special Education or Specialist Teacher
One student support staff member (IA, Administrative Assistant, etc)
The members of the Screening Committee will review applicants, select candidates to interview, interview candidates, and select finalists to be interviewed by the Superintendent. As part of this process, the Screening Committee will consider the feedback that is received from the Focus Group meeting.
If you are interested in serving on the Assistant Superintendent Screening Committee, please use this FORM to submit a statement of interest no later than Monday, January 22, 2023, at 3:00. Anyone interested in applying for the position can find this posting on TalentEd.
Watertown's Annual Unity Breakfast- Monday, January 15 at 10:00 am
On Monday, January 15, 2024, the City of Watertown honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders by holding its annual Watertown Unity Breakfast. This annual tradition will be held as a virtual event that affords the community an opportunity to celebrate and recommit to the foundational principles of racial, social, and economic justice. Perk up some coffee, grab a pastry, and login at 10:00 am on Monday!
Reminder: Coffee and Conversations with the Superintendent
Join me for a virtual cup of coffee to learn about the Watertown Public Schools and to ask any questions or provide feedback about your experiences in our schools.