LEOMINSTER – Longtime educator and Lowell school official Robin Desmond will be stepping in as the new superintendent to lead Leominster Schools after being chosen out of three finalists in May.
Desmond, whose contract was approved Monday by the Leominster School Committee, is coming off a long stint with Lowell Public Schools that began in 1999 and included many positions including teacher, principal, chief academic officer, and assistant superintendent for eight years. The School Committee voted to approve Desmond as their choice during a May 14 meeting.
She said she began exploring the idea of transitioning to a superintendent role a year ago and took some training and education programs. When she found out there was an opening in Leominster, Desmond did some research on the district and decided to throw her hat in the ring after being impressed with the district’s “strategic goals and their student opportunity act.”
“I started reading more about their commitment to all students academically achieving, promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity, SE supports, and overall, their collective vision for a school system,” she said on Tuesday morning. “I recognized that it was directly aligned with my own vision and expertise and thought it would be great to join a team like that.”
Desmond said she is very excited to work with the “strong” district team in place and collaborate with “administrators, teachers, stakeholders, families, and students.”
“I am really enthusiastic about the opportunity to embrace the role of Leominster superintendent in a community that just seems so dedicated to collaborating with all stakeholders,” she shared.
Mayor Dean Mazzarella, who also serves on the School Committee, said they narrowed the superintendent applicants down to five who interviewed for the position.
When asked why Desmond stood out, he said the Committee was “impressed” with the fact that she worked in every area of the Lowell school district and that she spent so much time in an environment “where people tend to move around a lot.”
“The school district is in good shape,” Mazzarella said. “We are looking forward to getting her going.”
Desmond’s arrival comes as a result of current Superintendent Paula Deacon’s retirement this year.
Desmond said she met Deacon and is “grateful that she is available and willing to answer any questions I have.”
“I am thrilled to be going somewhere with someone who is collaborative and open to meeting with me,” Desmond said of her predecessor.
When asked what her goals are for the superintendent position, Desmond said that she is looking forward to meeting with everyone, from parents to students to staff, “and listen and hear where they are and where they strive to go and determine how my skill set can help with that.”
“Collaboration is at the forefront of everything I do, so I am really looking forward to collaborating with all the stakeholders for the greater good of our students.”