Interim Superintendent of Schools

Westerly Public Schools•Westerly, RI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Westerly School Committee seeks an experienced interim leader to provide steady, skilled administrative oversight during a period of transition. The ideal candidate will maintain organizational momentum, ensure fiscal and operational continuity, foster open communication, and support ongoing district initiatives. The focus areas for this interim candidate include Transitional Communication, Community Engagement, and Relationship Building; Educational Leadership and Operational Continuity; Support for Student Social-Emotional Well-Being; and Budgetary Maintenance and Ongoing Facility/Technology Initiatives.

Requirements

Significant experience in executive leadership.
Significant experience in transition management.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to maintain trust and transparency.
Ability to be approachable, accessible, and visible.
Ability to maintain clear, frequent communication channels.
Respect for local district culture and community traditions.
Ability to sustain academic expectations and continuous improvement efforts.
Ability to provide consistent supervision and support for principals, central office administrators, and instructional staff.
Ability to navigate district systems effectively.
Ability to apply a calm, collaborative problem-solving approach.
Ability to maintain existing mental health, behavioral, and social-emotional support frameworks.
Sensitivity to socio-economic factors, student stress, and diverse learner needs.
Ability to ensure sound fiscal management.
Ability to oversee current budget implementation and monitor funding streams.
Ability to maintain progress on existing school facility redesign plans and technology updates.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Transitional Communication, Community Engagement, and Relationship Building.
Experience in Educational Leadership and Operational Continuity.
Experience in Support for Student Social-Emotional Needs.
Experience in Budgetary Maintenance and Ongoing Facility/Technology Initiatives.

Responsibilities

Provide steady, skilled administrative oversight during a period of transition.
Maintain organizational momentum.
Ensure fiscal and operational continuity.
Foster open communication.
Support ongoing district initiatives.
Maintain trust and transparency across staff, labor units, municipal leaders, and the community.
Serve as an approachable, accessible, and visible presence in schools and community events.
Maintain clear, frequent communication channels with the School Committee, Town Council, administration, and civic groups.
Sustain academic expectations and continuous improvement efforts without disrupting ongoing district programs.
Provide consistent supervision and support for principals, central office administrators, and instructional staff.
Navigate district systems effectively, ensuring continued support for special education, inclusion, and school safety protocols.
Apply a calm, collaborative problem-solving approach to resolve operational issues and mitigate potential controversies.
Maintain existing mental health, behavioral, and social-emotional support frameworks for students and families.
Support a safe, positive school environment focused on student well-being and responsibility.
Oversee current budget implementation and monitor town, state, and federal funding streams.
Effectively communicate budgetary matters with the School Committee, municipal officials, and the public.
Maintain progress on existing school facility redesign plans and technology updates to keep district projects moving forward on schedule.
Exercise direct administrative supervision over district leadership, including the Assistant Superintendent and District Directors (Finance, Special Education, Technology, Human Resources, Facilities, Transportation), and School Principals.
Hold ultimate executive authority and indirect supervision over all instructional, administrative, operational, and support staff across the district.