By Joan F. Simoneau, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – New Superintendent of the Marlborough Public Schools Richard Langlois is looking forward to working collaboratively with the teaching staff and administrators, the School Committee, city officials, and parents to provide the best education for the city's children. He said he is impressed with the dedication of the community toward education and the willingness “to work in partnership to move the district toward excellence.”
Langlois was appointed to the position in January, one of three finalists from a field of about 40 candidates. The School Committee approved a three-year contract with Langlois, with a salary of $185,000. He will receive a cost-of-living increase of up to three percent in each of the three years of the contract, pending an evaluation.
“There are many challenges ahead for our district, such as implementing the initiatives outlined in the recent education reform and the understanding of those expectations,” he said in a message to the Marlborough school community.? “It is the mission of the Executive Office of Education in Massachusetts “to create a 21st-century public education system that provides opportunity for a high-quality education, and transforms the lives of our children and our commonwealth to be competitive and stronger.” Our governor believes firmly in closing the achievement and inspiration gaps for all students despite socioeconomic status, language and cultural diversity.”
Langlois emphasized that he is dedicated to supporting that vision and is urging all to join him in achieving these goals.
Among the areas Langlois will be assessing is technology needs. An audit was conducted early this year and Langlois said he is meeting with Instructional Leadership Director Maureen Greulich and the city's Information Technology Director Mark Gibbs, who represents both the city and the schools, to elaborate on the results and steps being taken to make long-term recommendations. He and the staff are also looking into grants for the program and considering the addition of a new instructional director position.
Marlborough's previous permanent superintendent, Anthony Pope, served from 2010 until his resignation last year. Stephen Dlott served as interim superintendent and assisted the mayor and the School Committee in the search for a new superintendent. Langlois praised Dlott for helping with the preliminary stages of transition.
A resident of Bradford, Langlois was formerly superintendent of the Saugus school system for the past five years. Before accepting the position in Saugus, he served as the assistant superintendent for Haverhill Public Schools from 1994 to 2008. He was also a vocation placement coordinator in the Salem, N.H., Public Schools and served as an advanced graduate studies instructor at Salem State College.