BPS TOUTS INTERIM PICK
CEO of EdVestors ‘knows the system inside and out’
Parents, principals, teachers and business leaders are praising the city’s pick of EdVestors CEO Laura Perille as interim Boston Public Schools superintendent, saying she has the background needed to move schools forward and navigate the city’s political landscape.
“Laura is great,” said Boston School Committee Chairman Michael Loconto. “She knows the system inside and out. She’ll be very helpful in immediately hitting the ground running and helping to rebuild trust with our community and school leaders.”
On Monday, the Boston School Committee will meet to vote on Perille’s temporary contract. Her start date is still to be determined, officials say.
City officials are moving fast to tap Perille to lead the city’s 125 schools after Tommy Chang announced his resignation after only three years in a five-year contract. Loconto said the city is still negotiating Chang’s exit and wants to launch an “expedited” search for the next permanent leader.
Perille has led EdVestors, a nonprofit dedicated to urban school improvement, since 2002. The organization is behind several major initiatives like the $100,000 “School on the Move” award that recognizes rapidly improving schools and “Zeroing in on Math” program to improve middle school math.
Known for her expertise, Perille, a BPS parent, has often served on committees behind major system changes like redesigning Boston’s student assignment system and the superintendent search that led to Chang in 2014.
“She cares deeply about Boston Public Schools as a parent, leader and advocate,” said Julie Bott, principal of Mendell Elementary School. “She is incredibly thoughtful. She is reflective and willing to admit when she makes mistakes and she is savvy in bringing people together.”
Many school officials are hopeful Perille will provide a stable force to keep the system moving forward and improve fractured relationships with the community.
Loconto said he wants Perille to help create a “clear, authentic communication plan” around big projects like the now stalled Build BPS plan, grade reconfigurations and improvements at struggling high schools.
“I’m hoping she will be able to carry forward initiatives we need to work on,” said Boston Teachers Union President Jessica Tang. “Progress should not be delayed.”
“We’re optimistic that as a former parent in the district, she’ll be especially attuned to parents and students as assets and key stakeholders,” said BPS parent Mary Battenfeld and member of QUEST, a parent activist group.