First African-American named to lead BLS
Rachel Skerritt is taking over at Boston Latin School, becoming the first African-American headmaster in the exam school’s 382-year-history after a troubled year marked by a federal civil rights probe of racial discrimination.
Skerritt, a native of the Grove Hall neighborhood of Dorchester, graduated from BLS in 1995. She’s also the former Boston Public Schools chief of staff.
Skerritt, 39, is replacing Michael Contompasis, who served as interim headmaster over the past year after a federal investigation found school officials failed to address racial bias on campus.
Skerritt said she is undaunted by taking the helm of the school.
“It’s a great time to be at the Latin School,” Skerritt said in a press conference. “I plan to be a listener, to bring folks together, to create constructive conversations and ensure an environment where all students feel welcome and safe.”
Skerritt brings a wealth of experience in school leadership that has garnered awards and praise, including as a past seventhgrade English teacher at BLS, headmaster at the BPS pilot school Another Course to College, and BPS chief of staff under thenSuperintendent Carol Johnson.
Since 2010, she has worked in Washington, D.C., leading Eastern Senior High School out of turnaround status and most recently as a deputy chief overseeing leadership training for new principals.
Skerritt said her first priority at BLS will be meeting with the community and holding a “listening tour.”
“I always pride myself on being accessible and visible,” Skerritt said. “My first priority will be to make sure I am familiar with student body, staff and existing partners and alumni.”
She said it was “premature” to talk about plans for handling race relations.
As a black woman and former student, Skerritt said she “empathized” with students and that her experience informs her leadership and builds her empathy for what students go through today.
Black leaders praised BPS’ decision, saying Skerritt would be in a better position to understand student concerns given her background and race.
“I trust Rachel will be able to address any challenges, be they academic or culturally or race-related,” said Boston NAACP President Tanisha Sullivan.
“She has a pulse on the community,” said Ron Bell of the BLS Black Alumni Advisory Committee. “She is willing to listen to the concerns of young people.”
Kevin Peterson of the New Democracy Coalition said, “Her race is an extraordinary asset in context of what Boston Latin has gone through.”
Darnell Williams, president of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, however, cautioned that Skerritt’s hiring isn’t a panacea.
He said: “I’m not naive to think having a person of color is a magic wand to wave away all the challenges we have in our society.”