January 114, 2022 Submitted by Glenn Mangurian
You may have read that the Hingham School Committee announced its superintendent selection on January 5 th . Dr. Margaret Adams will succeed Interim Superintendent Dr. Gary Maestas for the 2022-2023 school year. Dr. Adams is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning at Melrose Public Schools. Dr. Adams has been with Melrose Public Schools for the past ten years, eight as the Assistant Superintendent and two as the Director for Curriculum. Dr. Adams has also served as Director of Literacy for Malden Public Schools and Department Head for Bilingual/ESL Services for Brockton Public Schools.
The Superintendent search began last September. In November a screening committee was formed comprised of eleven members including six resident volunteers. I had the honor of being selected as the at-large member of the committee. Although I have been a Hingham resident for over 35 years, it was my first participation as a volunteer on a town committee. As regular readers of my Op Ed column know, I am a retired business executive and senior citizen. I am also a proud grandfather to a South School first grader. Prior to receiving my MBA at UMass Amherst I was a high school mathematics teacher. After retiring, I taught graduate level leadership both online and in person for UMass and Northeastern University.
The screening committee consisted of dedicated members representing a variety of life experiences which provided unique windows to screen the candidates. My perspective was on leadership including communications. I was very impressed with the process. The committee was mutually respectful and coalesced easily in reviewing applications, interviewing candidates and moving forward four applicants to the School Committee for final selection. While there were several strong candidates, Dr. Adams stood out in the public sessions as an authentic and caring leader ready to take on the challenges and opportunities of the Hingham school system. I was impressed with her student focus, passion, energy and commitment to education. Moreover, she is a good listener. She is direct, engaging and sensitive in her communications – vitally important for today’s education leaders. As accomplished as Dr. Adams is, she displays a powerful mixture of personal humility and indomitable will to do what is right for our students.
Dr. Adams will need the support of Hingham residents as she faces the challenges of constrained town budgets, renovation/ replacement of the Foster School, competition for teacher and administrative talent, implementing a strategic plan – all while fostering high aspirations for Hingham students.
Congratulations, Dr. Adams. Welcome to Hingham.