Somerville Superintendent Chosen To Lead Boston Public Schools

SOMERVILLE, MA — Somerville Superintendent Mary Skipper has been chosen as the next superintendent of the Boston Public Schools (BPS).

Boston School Committee members voted 4-3 in favor of Skipper over Dr. Tommy Welch, a regional superintendent within BPS, during a virtual meeting Wednesday night.

Skipper must now formally accept the offer in order to begin the process of negotiating the conditions of her contract with the School Committee, including salary, benefits and starting date.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Superintendent Mary Skipper as the experienced leader and dedicated partner that Boston needs for our young people and families,” Mayor Michelle Wu said in a statement. “In this moment of challenge and opportunity, Mary is uniquely prepared to drive forward the systemic reforms and immediate results our students deserve. Her knowledge and relationships from serving at every level in BPS–as a classroom teacher, school leader, and longtime district administrator–and as a successful superintendent in the area, will supercharge our work.”

Skipper joined Somerville Public Schools (SPS) as superintendent in 2015 after serving as Network Superintendent of High Schools for BPS, where she oversaw 34 high schools serving approximately 19,500 students. During her time in Boston, Skipper helped launch TechBoston Academy (TBA) as the founding Headmaster in 2002.

“I am honored and humbled to have been selected to lead the district that raised me as an educator and solidified my passion for making a difference in the lives of students,” said Mary Skipper. “This is a pivotal time in Boston and BPS’ history, and nothing less than our student’s and our City’s future is at stake. I look forward to working with our families, educators, community leaders and our students to ensure every BPS student has the opportunity for a great education that sets them up for success in school and in life.”

Skipper holds a Bachelor's in English and Latin from Tufts University. In addition, she earned a Master's in Education Policy from Harvard and a Master's in Education Leadership from Columbia Teachers College.

"The Boston Teachers Union looks forward to partnering with the newly selected Superintendent, Mary Skipper, along with the broader Boston school community, in pursuit of creating the schools our students deserve,” Boston Teachers Union (BTU) president Jessica Tang said in a statement. "Superintendent Skipper has the experience, knowledge and qualities that will be integral to addressing the pressing needs facing our school district."

During this leadership transition, Skipper will work closely with Dr. Drew Echelson, who will serve as Acting Superintendent following the June 30 departure of Dr. Brenda Cassellius.

"I'm deeply committed to working closely with Ms. Skipper to ensure a smooth transition,” Echelson said in a statement. "Mary has always been a very empathetic listener who leads with purpose, humility and an unwavering belief in our children. I look forward to strengthening our work and leveraging much-needed reinforcements to accelerate reforms in BPS, especially as it relates to racial equity, Special Education, native language access, and improved transportation systems."