Framingham Schools Name New Executive Director of Student Supports

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Courtney Balacco will take over as the new Executive Director of Student Supports at Framingham Public Schools effective immediately, the district recently announced.

Five months of observations, conversations, and distillations of common themes during Robert Tremblay’s Superintendent residency has led to this structural change, officials said.

It will be pivotal to how the district addresses students and staff in crisis and, given the urgency, this move will take effect immediately and remain in place moving forward.

This comes after Framingham has received hoax calls about threats to the school in the wake of shootings across the country.

Funding for this position is already in the district operating budget and the job responsibilities are specifically aligned to better connect the Special Education and Health and Wellness departments, officials said.

In this position, Balacco will bridge the gap between regular education and special education to address the needs of students across all schools.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Courney Balacco since the summer of 2022, and I have been impressed with her perseverance, proaction, and positivity in addressing student supports,” said Tremblay.

“A true team player, Ms. Balacco embraces collaboration and is passionate about pathways to improve the emotional, mental, and social well-being of all students. I trust in her ability to lead the Office of Student Supports in the continued championing for our students in this post-COVID era.”

Balacco joined the Framingham Public School team as Director of Health and Wellness in 2022.

Prior to joining the FPS team, Balacco was a Clinical Coordinator at Westborough Public Schools where she supported the development of mental health programming and systems of support for the district, officials said.

Her role also included providing mental health support, consultation, and training for students, staff, and families for the past 7 years.

Prior to that, Balacco had worked in multiple social work and mental health roles across other districts, community-based organizations, and state government agencies for nearly 10 years.

She is a board-licensed mental health counselor and school social worker.