Shrewsbury superintendent to retire
By Melissa Muntz Cole Community Reporter

Shrewsbury - After 15 years as superintendent of Shrewsbury Public Schools and more than 40 years in the field of education, Dr. Anthony Bent will retire at the end of the 2008-2009 school year.

Bent made his announcement at the Oct. 1 School Committee meeting, where he thanked every person that works in the Shrewsbury school district for their years of hard work and dedication.

"More than anything else, I feel gratitude to you for making this school district so high-performing and for making my job so satisfying for the past 15 years," he said. "Thank you for bringing such a bright and positive light on the Shrewsbury Public Schools during my tenure with you."

During his time in Shrewsbury, Bent has overseen the implementation of MCAS testing and the construction of Floral Street Elementary School, the new High School and Parker Road Preschool, as well as the renovation of the old High School, now Oak Middle School.

Bent began his career in education in 1967 when he took a Spanish teaching position at Wellesley High School.

From there he moved on to become the head of the Foreign Languages Department at Newton South High School, the assistant superintendent for Lexington Public Schools, the foreign languages coordinator for Lexington High School, and the director of curriculum, personnel and professional development for Watertown Public Schools before taking the superintendent position in Shrewsbury in 1994.

He is the current president of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and is a member of the American Association of School Administrators and the Global Education Advisory Council.

Bent said it was not a lack of passion for education that is leading him to retire but rather an interest in exploring new opportunities. He said he's not sure where he's going to end up, but there is one thing the school staff can be sure of.

"I will continue to devote myself to your success and that of the students of this district until my last day with you," he said.

The audience, made up of many senior school administrators and faculty, gave the superintendent a standing ovation following his announcement.

The search for Bent's successor was scheduled to begin the day immediately following his announcement. School Committee members said they are hoping to have found a suitable replacement by March.