Shrewsbury School Committee announces Tiffany Ostrander as next superintendent
The Shrewsbury School Committee voted Wednesday night to enter contract negotiations with Tiffany Ostrander to become the district's next superintendent, following a search process lasting several months that drew candidates from across the country.
Ostrander, currently the principal of Calvin Coolidge Elementary School in Shrewsbury, emerged as the committee's top choice after deliberations during a school committee meeting on March 18.
"Ostrander's passion and excitement for becoming the next superintendent of schools is evident," said Erin Boucher, chairperson of the Shrewsbury School Committee. "Her level of preparation during the process was impressive. She is deeply rooted in the values of Shrewsbury Public Schools and has great institutional knowledge."
Ostrander did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The search for a new superintendent began in October after longtime superintendent Joseph Sawyer announced his retirement following 17 years leading the district. The process included significant community input, with surveys, focus groups and stakeholder meetings that guided the committee to come to a decision on the district's next leader.
The committee reviewed a pool of 30 applicants and narrowed the decision to four finalists: Ostrander, Todd Bazydlo, principal of Shrewsbury High School, Reuben Duncan, superintendent of Jaffrey-Rindge Cooperative School District in New Hampshire and David Thomson, interim superintendent of Wilmington Public Schools. Each finalist spent a full day in the district meeting with students, staff and community members, followed by public interviews with the school committee.
In their deliberations, the committee members described all four finalists as strong candidates but said Ostrander stood out for her ability to connect with students and families as well as her familiarity with the district and Shrewsbury's culture.
"Tiffany Ostrander consistently demonstrated that she will be a transformational leader," said committee member Rajesh Velagapudi, who cited her emphasis on collaboration, trust-building and keeping students at the center of decision-making.
In addition to her time as principal of Calvin Coolidge Elementary School, Ostrander has served as the assistant principal of Floral Street Elementary School and as assistant principal at Eastlawn Elemntary School in Burlington, North Carolina, according to her resume available on the Shrewsbury School Committee website . Ostrander is also currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at Boston College.
Committee member Rachel Sharifipour pointed to her use of data to guide decision-making, along with attention to student experience beyond test scores.
"Quantitative data tells a story but never the full story. [Ostrander] recognizes that the state measures us by numbers and that we do need to be mindful of that but there are other things that matter," Sharifipour said during the meeting.
The committee ultimately voted 5-0 to move forward with Ostrander, with each member voicing support for her candidacy.
Following the vote, Boucher said Ostrander is "extremely excited" about the opportunity and eager to move into the next steps of the hiring process.
If a contract is finalized, Ostrander will succeed Sawyer beginning on July 1 and will take on leadership of a district preparing for significant initiatives, including a potential high school expansion project and upcoming budget decisions, according to the Shrewsbury School Committee.
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