Berdos Named New Assistant Superintendent in Foxborough

Debra L Spinelli, assistant superintendent and future superintendent for , opened the April 25 meeting with a review of the credentials and credo of Amy A. Berdos to the Foxborough school committee.

"Berdos was our most impressive candidate," said Spinelli. "She will be a great addition to our strong administrative team."

Spinelli went onto note that what stands out the most with Berdos is that she is a proven collaborative leader.

"She is the complete package," Spinelli said.

Coworker references for Berdos were equally impressive and complementary.

"No one has impressed me more than Berdos," said a former co-worker of Berdos. "Her relationship to teachers and the respect she has is universal."

Berdos came in front of the school committee to face a series of questions. When asked, "Why Foxborough?' Berdos responded, "I see it first hand all the great things going on here...it is a community that is committed to it's schools."

Berdos has worked in the Norton public school system for the past 16 years. Starting in 1995 as an elementary classroom teacher, Berdos worked hard to become a vital part of the progression of Norton public schools and in 2006 was named Director of Curriculum & Instruction.

"I want to be apart of whatever I do because I want to be apart of that fabric," said Berdos. "I am highly selective of where I go because I am passionate about everything I do."

Berdos spoke of having the ability to wear two lenses -the parent lens and the educator lens. 

"I come with the educator lens and I come with the parent lens," Berdos said. "I have 4 children and when looking at it through the parent perspective I always ask, are we doing everything we need to when meeting our student's needs?"

In closing, the school committee thanked all 12 members of the search committee, which is comprised of professionals and non-professionals.

"To be able to come together with a list and be in agreement shows that the process works," said school committee member Kate Kominsky. "This was an outstanding process"

Without a dissenting opinion on the committee, Berdos was unanimously voted 5-0 after her interview to be offered the position of assistant superintendent.

"I am so proud of this community in that we have two tough acts to follow -Dr. Christopher Martes and Debra Spinelli," said school committee member Martha Slattery. "Having read this [resume] I am comfortable that you [Berdos] will fit in so nice here - you and Spinelli will compliment one another."