Waltham Narrows Search For Assistant Superintendent

WALTHAM, MA — The district has narrowed the search for a new assistant superintendent to three finalists, including a current principal in neighboring Newton, an assistant superintendent in Chelsea, and a chief academic officer for a school district in Jackson Mississippi.

Some 56 people applied to the open position for a new Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction last month. Eight made it to candidate interviews last week and the 16 member screening committee winnowed it down to three finalists:

● Dr. Joel Jocelyn: Jocelyn is the principal of the Franklin Elementary School in Newton, an appointment he has held since 2016. Prior to working in Newton, he was a principal in the Fall River Public Schools serving at the elementary level for six years and leading a therapeutic day middle school for a year. He was a director of curriculum for a year in the Boston Public Schools. He received a Bachelors in management and computer science from Boston College and an MBA from Boston University. He earned a second masters degree in education from the University of Massachusetts and a Doctor of Education degree from Boston University.

● Sarah Kent: Kent is in her fourth year serving as the Assistant Superintendent of the Chelsea Public Schools. Prior to her current appointment, she worked as the chief academic officer, PK-12 STEM coordinator, and elementary mathematics coach, all within the Chelsea Public Schools. She began her career in education as an ESL teacher in Laconia New Hampshire before becoming an elementary sheltered English classroom teacher in Chelsea. Kent has extensive experience in
curriculum leadership and professional development. She recieved her Bachelors in American studies from Yale University and her Masters in English and linguistics from the University of New Hampshire.
● Dr. Jose Salgado: Salgado is the chief academic officer for the Jackson Public School District in Jackson, Mississippi. Prior to this, he held a similar role in Schenectady, NY for the Schenectady City School District. Salgado previously worked as a principal in Massachusetts. In 2019, he was an elementary principal in the Malden Public Schools and he served as a middle school headmaster in the Boston Public Schools for 5 years. He also spent time working in education in Honduras. Salgado recieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in Agricultural Engineering from Universidad Nacional Autonoma in Honduras, a Masters in education from Boston University, and a Doctor of Education degree from Harvard University.

The finalists will participate in virtual site visits to Waltham scheduled for March 31 and April 1.
These virtual site visits will include meetings with faculty, staff and administrators.

Superintendent Brian Reagan said he expects to bring his recommended candidate to the School Committee on April 7 for approval. The new position will start July 1.