Andover Schools Pick Claudia Bach As Interim Superintendent

ANDOVER, MA — The Andover School Committee picked Claudia Bach to serve as the interim superintendent for the first half of 2021, the committee said Tuesday.

The committee met Tuesday to offer Bach a contract, after agreeing to hired her at their meeting last week.

Bach, a former Andover superintendent, will take over from Sheldon Berman, who is leaving the district at the end of the month. She will serve until the new permanent superintendent begins, which the School Committee expects will occur in June.

Previously on Patch: Andover Superintendent Prepares To Hand Off District Mid-Pandemic

“We are pleased that Dr. Bach is committed to our students and educators. Her willingness to accept the challenges of leading a district during the COVID-19 pandemic is a testament to her devotion to the Andover community,” School Committee Chairperson Shannon Scully said in a statement. “Even though it is a temporary position, we look forward to her returning to bring stability during this time.”

“I am honored that the School Committee has appointed me the interim superintendent of Andover Public Schools. I look forward to serving a district dear to my heart,” Bach said. “My first responsibility will be ensuring the health and safety of our children as COVID-19 surges.

"At the same time, I will support our teachers as they work tirelessly to provide the best educational opportunities possible for our students under incredibly challenging conditions. I am eager to reach out to our families so that they can communicate to me their concerns and suggestions. I want to learn what we’ve done well and where we can improve. I am ready to get to work.”

Bach was the Andover superintendent from 1998 to 2010. She has also served as the director of education policy, preparation and leadership for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and currently sits on a number of nonprofit boards.

The search process is also underway for a permanent superintendent, who the committee hopes to hire to begin in July, 2021.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.