Pending successful contract negotiations, Dr. Nolin will assume leadership of the district on July 1, 2023.
[Newton, MA] - The Newton School Committee voted on Friday morning to select Dr. Anna Nolin as the next Superintendent of the Newton Public Schools. Dr. Nolin comes to Newton from the Natick Public Schools where she currently serves as superintendent. Dr. Nolin was selected by a unanimous vote of the School Committee, who emphasized her commitment to data-driven outcomes for students, collaboration with families and community partners, and serving as the lead teacher of a learning organization. The Newton School Committee will approve the appointment of Dr. Nolin, conditional on successful contract negotiations and acceptable background check.
“We are thrilled to invite Dr. Nolin to join the Newton Public Schools as our next superintendent. Her values as a data-driven leader focused on improving outcomes for all students align perfectly with the mission of the Newton Public Schools,” said Tamika Olszewski, Chair of the Newton School Committee. “We deeply appreciate her commitment to developing a strategic vision for our district that articulates the strength and skills we want for both our staff and our students.”
Dr. Nolin has spent nearly 20 years in the Natick Public Schools, first serving as assistant principal and principal of Wilson Middle School and then assuming the position of Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. She has served in the role of superintendent since 2018. In addition, she is an experienced graduate instructor in educational leadership and instructional leadership, serving in the doctoral program collaboration between the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and Boston College. She is currently the president of the New England's Superintendents' Association representing superintendents from MA, ME, NH, RI, VT and CT.
Dr. Nolin impressed the School Committee with her collaborative approach to working with union leadership, welcoming diverse perspectives and viewpoints, and personalizing learning for all students. Feedback from the community and staff noted Dr. Nolin’s strong history of implementing social emotional supports and programs for students to address mental health needs.
The search for Newton’s next Superintendent of Schools began in fall 2022 and was led by a search committee composed of a diverse group of Newton stakeholders. Using feedback from community surveys and focus groups, the committee developed a leadership profile and identified desired characteristics for the next district leader. In January, the search committee reviewed applications, interviewed semi-finalists, and recommended three candidates to move to the final stage of the selection process. One candidate withdrew, while two finalists spent a full day in the district meeting with administrators, staff, community members, and the Newton School Committee. Feedback from the visits was collected and reviewed by the committee prior to their final selection. More details on the search process, including documents and timelines, can be found on this district webpage:
Newton Superintendent Search Process
Dr. Nolin is expected to assume leadership of the Newton Public Schools July 1, 2023, conditional on successful contract negotiations. The district is currently under the leadership of Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathy Smith after Dr. David Fleishmen left the district last summer following a 12 year tenure.
