'At Peace' Spinelli Set To Leave Foxborough Superintendent Post

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The next time the Foxborough School Committee meets, Superintendent Debra Spinelli will be at home enjoying retirement and not working another late Monday night at Foxborough High School.

As is tradition for mid-year retirees, the school committee honored the outgoing superintendent at their final meeting of the year. Spinelli's last official day as the head of the Foxborough Public Schools will be Dec. 31.

An emotional Spinelli thanked the committee and the community for allowing her to serve as the superintendent. She leaves the job after over six years on the job.

"I worked other places before I came here...but the majority of my career has been here and there's no other place to have a career," Spinelli said. "I think this place has allowed me to pursue my natural curiosity about kids, about teaching and learning. I still have it and I'm still passionate about it."

She said her biggest point of pride has been watching Foxborough students become citizens and praised the school district's staff as second to none.

Taking over for Spinelli will be Assistant Superintendent Amy Berdos and current K-8 Math/Science Director Alison Mello has been promoted to assistant superintendent. Both start their new positions Jan. 1.

"Despite being able to laugh and enjoy the children and enjoy each other as professionals, we do have a seriousness purposefulness the past 10-11 years and I think it's really served the community well to be in the same spirit of seriousness. To be able to walk away knowing something I love is in the hands of Amy and Alison, who are two of the most talented and wonderful educational leaders I've ever worked with, I feel in peace," Spinelli said.

Longtime school committee member and former teacher Beverly Lord called Spinelli the best superintendent she's ever worked for.

"Your imprint will last a lifetime," Lord said.

Both Chairman Bruce Gardner and committee member Tina Belanger said they felt fortunate to have kids in the school while Spinelli was superintendent.

"I'm really thankful my children were here when you were here because the instructional focus you brought was just right at the right time. It helped us sustain all that's good in Foxborough and helped us go from good to great. It was an honor to serve with you," Gardner said.

Prior to serving as superintendent, Spinelli worked in various capacity for the Foxborough Public Schools from 1992 until her departure to become an assistant superintendent in Stoughton in 2003. She returned in 2007 as an assistant superintendent and severed in that role until she was named superintendent in 2011.

Below are Spinelli's full remarks:

Image: File Photo