Sutton School Committee Chooses Roberts Morandi as New Superintendent

From The Millbury-Sutton Chronicle (May 3, 2022)

Kimberly Roberts-Morandi has been offered the job of superintendent for Sutton Public Schools.

SUTTON — Pending contract negotiations, the new superintendent for Sutton Public Schools will be Kimberly Roberts Morandi.

She is currently the assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment for North Adams Public Schools.

During its meeting May 2, the School Committee capped a search process that began in January.

Committee members first discussed the site visits they made to the school communities of the four finalists. Chairman Bruce Edwards got to visit North Adams in the northwest corner of Massachusetts.

According to Edwards, students and staff members consider Roberts Morandi "a pre-active problem solver" who writes "grants, grants, grants."

During her interview with the School Committee April 28, she said she oversees 27 grants and makes sure the money from those grants is spent as intended.

She has also helped develop a range of programs for North Adams schools, from curriculum development to science, with cooperation from staff, students and families.

"She's not the 'We've always done it this way,' type," said Edwards of what people in North Adams had to say about her.

After wrapping up the site visit discussion, committee members determined the method of voting for the new superintendent.

"We have four excellent candidates," said vice chair Nathan Jerome.

"I've changed my mind numerous times," said Edwards. "The surveys have a range of comments. I hope the new superintendent will take the first few months to listen and observe. They must be willing to motivate and advocate growth and embrace Sutton."

After a round of deciding the top two candidates, Edwards led a show of hands as to the committee's top choice -- Roberts Morandi.

The committee then recessed for a few minutes to call her.

"She accepted," said Edwards after the meeting resumed. "She can't get here fast enough."

Edwards then thanked the superintendent search committee for its time and effort.

Once the contract is negotiated, Roberts Morandi will assume her new post July 1. She will succeed Theodore Friend, who has been superintendent for 12 years.

The other finalists were Brett Kustigian; Michael Baldassare; and Jodi Fortuna.

Other business

The sixth-grade band and the seventh- and eighth-grade bands, will perform May 12 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the middle-high school auditorium. 

The Middle School Celebration of the Arts will take place May 18 at the middle-high school auditorium.

Admission is $5 ($20 max per family) for both events. 

Check out this link for the story on millburysutton.com