Superintendent Search 2018

Superintendent Search 2018
Posted on 02/01/2018
School LogoOn Wednesday, March 28, the New Bedford School Committee voted to appoint Thomas Anderson as Superintendent effective July 1, 2018.

Four Finalists Announced


Thomas Anderson currently serves as the superintendent of schools in Randolph, a position he has held since 2014. Before serving as superintendent in Randolph, he was an instructional superintendent in the District of Columbia Public Schools in Washington, D.C., from 2011-2014; the founding principal/executive director of Edison Learning Larry Hawkins Chicago International Charter School in Chicago, Illinois from 2010-2011; and a principal in the Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland from 2006-2010. Prior to those roles he worked as an English teacher in the public schools of Montgomery County, Maryland, and East Hartford, Connecticut. Anderson holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Rhode Island and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Howard University.

Robert J. Gerardi, Jr. currently serves as the superintendent of schools in Maynard, a position he has held since 2011. Before serving as superintendent in Maynard, he was the superintendent of schools in Woonsocket, R.I., from 2008-2011; assistant superintendent for curriculum in the North Providence (R.I.) Public Schools from 2005-2008; a principal in the Cranston (R.I.) Public Schools from 2003-2005; and an assistant principal in the Pawtucket (R.I.) Public Schools from 1996-2003. Prior to those roles, he worked as a technology teacher in the Burrillville (R.I.) Public Schools, Lynn Public Schools, and Swampscott Public Schools. Gerardi holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts from Rhode Island College, a master’s degree in educational administration from Providence College, and a Ph.D. in educational administration from Boston College.

Heather D. Larkin currently serves as the director of guidance and pupil personnel services at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational-Technical High School, a position she has held since 2016. Before serving as director of guidance at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech, she was the director of special education and student services in the Middleborough Public Schools from 2014 to 2016; assistant superintendent of student services for the New Bedford Public Schools from 2009 to 2014; and before that served as director of guidance and pupil personnel services, after serving as director of the safe schools and healthy students grant. Prior to those roles she served as facilitator of the foster children’s advocacy program in the New Bedford Public Schools. Larkin holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southeastern Massachusetts University, a master’s degree in clinical and behavioral psychology from UMass Dartmouth, and an Ed.D. in educational leadership from Northeastern University.

Ana C. Riley currently serves as the superintendent of schools in Portsmouth, R.I., a position she has held since 2014. Before serving as superintendent in Portsmouth, she was the superintendent of Dartmouth Public Schools from 2011-2014 after serving as assistant superintendent of Dartmouth Public Schools from 2008-2011; and the principal at an elementary school and a middle school in the Fall River Public Schools from 2003-2008, after serving as an assistant principal in Fall River. Prior to those roles, she worked as a science teacher at B.M.C. Durfee High School, as well as a middle school and an alternative high school, in the Fall River Public Schools. Riley holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Regis College and a master’s degree in school administration from Fitchburg State University, and has completed coursework toward an Ed.D. in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University and toward a certificate of advanced educational leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.


Posting for Superintendent of Schools position

Superintendent Search Timeline:

1/18/18 Planning meeting with Search Firm Selection Subcommittee

2/1/18 Online survey on NBPS website (through 2/12/18)

2/5- 2/7/18 Focus Groups and Community Meetings

2/12/18 Online survey closes

2/15/18 Application deadline

2/20/18 Leadership report presented to Screening Committee

​2/26/18 Candidates presented to Screening Committee

2/27-3/1/18 Screening Committee initial screening interviews

3/1/18 Screening Committee identifies finalists

Week of 3/5/18 Public announcement of finalists

Week of 3/12/18 Site visits to candidates’ districts  

Week of 3/19/18 School Committee interviews finalists

Monday, 3/19 – Robert Gerardi visits New Bedford Public Schools

4:30 p.m. – Meet and Greet with NBPS Families: Keith Middle School Community Room
6:00 p.m. – Public Interview: Keith Middle School Auditorium

Tuesday, 3/20 – Heather Larkin visits New Bedford Public Schools
4:30 p.m. – Meet and Greet with NBPS Families: Keith Middle School Community Room
6:00 p.m. – Public Interview: Keith Middle School Auditorium

Wednesday, 3/21 – Ana Riley visits New Bedford Public Schools
4:30 p.m. – Meet and Greet with NBPS Families: Keith Middle School Community Room
6:00 p.m. – Public Interview: Keith Middle School Auditorium

Friday, 3/23 – Thomas Anderson visits New Bedford Public Schools
4:30 p.m. – Meet and Greet with NBPS Families: Keith Middle School Community Room
6:00 p.m. – Public Interview: Keith Middle School Auditorium

Week of 3/26/18 School Committee votes to appoint

7/1/18 New Superintendent Assumes Responsibilities


Community Meetings


Monday, February 5, 2018

TIME LOCATION
6:00 PM Normandin Middle School (Cafeteria)


Tuesday, February 6, 2018

TIME LOCATION
6:00 PM  Keith Middle School (Community Room)

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

TIME LOCATION
5:00 PM   Roosevelt Middle School (Community Room)

Community Survey

In addition, community input is sought through a survey for families, staff, students, and residents.  Links to the survey will be available in English, Spanish and Portuguese through Monday, February 12 at https://ecrasurvey.com/newbedfordma

Submit Feedback by Email

In addition to the community meetings open to the public and the surveys available online, feedback is welcome by email at [email protected] through Monday, February 12.

Screening Committee Members

Barry Haskell serves as Search Committee Chair. He is a former Superintendent of Plymouth Public Schools and served as interim business manager for New Bedford Public Schools. He has also taught human resource management at Suffolk University.

Josh Amaral is a New Bedford resident and is a member of the New Bedford School Committee since 2014.

Christopher Cotter is a member of the New Bedford School Committee since 2016 and is a member of New Bedford Police Department.

Thomas Kelly is a former board member at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School and a former Superintendent of Dartmouth Public Schools.

Chris Garcia is a New Bedford High School counselor and serves as vice-president of the New Bedford Educators Association.

Isaiah Houtman is a New Bedford resident and parent. He teaches math and computer science at New Bedford High School and coaches track at NBHS.

Karen Treadup is Principal at Carney Academy and has worked and taught in New Bedford Public Schools for more than thirty years.

Anne Przystarz is a New Bedford resident, parent and grandparent of New Bedford Public Schools students.

Gail Fortes is a New Bedford resident and parent, and serves as Executive Director of YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts.

Irma Valerius is a New Bedford resident and parent. She is a ESL teacher at Alfred J. Gomes Elementary School School.