Assistant Superintendent Cummings New Grafton School Chief

Grafton resident and Assistant Superintendent of Schools James Cummings was selected the town's new superintendent of schools tonight.

The Holliston native was selected by an unanimous vote of the Grafton School Committee.

Chairman Teri Turgeon described Cummings as "someone who has energy, and whose energy is contagious. I really need someone who has the capacity to get people to buy into new ideas.''

She said she wanted a leader who, when visiting a classroom, would not strike apprehension in the teacher, but rather an eagerness to display their class' positive achievements.

In his interview with the committee earlier in the evening, Cummings said he is "very passionate about Grafton,'' where he lives and where his three older children attend schools. His youngest is not yet school age.

He said he knows from experience that Grafton has a "very, very strong foundation. I look forward to taking that to the next step.''

"This is my community, this is my home,'' he said. "These are my kids, and not just my kids,'' but kids in his neighborhood and on the soccer team he coaches.

Committee member Donna Stock quoted the reactions she had received from colleagues of Cummings when she visited Shrewsbury. He was described as "smart,'' "savvy,'' "rock solid,'' with strong interpersonal skills who "makes people feel like a million bucks.''

At the end of his interview, Stock promoted Cummings to talk about his experience mentoring youngsters, serving as a substitute teacher while an administrator to gather more hands-on experience and penning hand-written notes to teachers and others who he felt deserved acknowledgement for their efforts.

When he was hired two years ago as Shrewsbury's assistant superintendent, he said, he agreed to stay at least three years, unless the Grafton job came open.

He said his leadership style takes him out of the office and into the classrooms frequently. He estimated he has spent all but 10 days in two years in the schools.

The classroom, he said, is "where the rubber meets the road'' and where the action happens.

With a new high school being built and grade levels being reconfigured, Cummings said it will be important to maintain focus and structure during a time of transition.

It is easy during these times to "take your eye off the ball.''

He said he looked forward to hosting coffees and other events to meet people and hear their concerns and opinions about the schools.

Committee members made a point to acknowledge the two other candidates. Grafton's current assistant superintendent, Lucille Boutiette, and Natick assistant superintendent Karen LeDuc.

The town is fortunate and the students are fortunate to have Boutiette, Turgeon said. 

Maintaining her as assistant superintendent and adding Cummings as superintendent gives the district two strong individuals, committee member Kathleen Halloran said.

LeDuc has a calm presence that would be especially effective for a district in turmoil looking to right the ship, Turgeon said. "I think she'll make a great leader,'' but was not the right fit for Grafton, she said.