Revere School Official DeRuosi Interviews for Malden Superintendent Position

David DeRuosi’s career in education began in 1993. He worked in a variety of special education roles before leaving the classroom to become the public intervention coordinator of a Salem middle school.

Several years later, he made the jump to an administrative role when he became the vice principal of a Chelsea middle school. He moved on to become principal of Revere High School and held the post for 12 years before becoming an Assistant Superintendent of Revere Public Schools for the 2010-2011 school year.

Now, he is hoping to succeed Sidney Smith top as superintendent in the Malden school district. On Monday night, the school committee interviewed DeRuosi as it enters the final stages of the selection process.

Core Values and Attributes

DeRuosi said he subscribes to a “blue-collar philosophy” and that he’s a true believer in the power of education.

“I believe hard work overcomes most obstacles. If you’re going to work hard, then you can manage and push through so many barriers, so many obstacle, but it comes with work," he said. “It is my true belief that education is probably the last equalizer in this country. It creates social mobility and provides opportunity.”

His strongest attribute, DeRuosi said, is a well-rounded view of education that stems from his background in special education. Additionally, he added that his study of leadership models would allow him to build partnerships within the school and community, which would assist in the district’s goal of bringing a “vision to fruition.”

Working With the School Committee and the Community

DeRuosi said it is all about collaboration when it comes to creating educational policy, developing a budget, engaging in collective bargaining, and building an administrative team.

“I am the voice of the committee and I am a bridge to the community to stay focused with unions and everybody else,” DeRuosi said. “There’s more or less a marriage of some type between the school committee and the superintendent.”

“So, that has to be an open line of communication,” he added. “As a superintendent, what I would be looking for from the school committee is a school committee that would challenge me—which is good—but also set up the challenges so they’re actually doable.”

As an example of his ability to work with the community, DeRuosi highlighted his past success at developing and expanding a partnership with Revere Cares, a substance abuse awareness program, while he was principal of Revere High School.

Diverse Student Body

When asked how he would ensure that all students in a student body that represents a variety of individual backgrounds and learning abilities would learn well, DeRuosi responded with a question of his own.

“The concept that all children can learn is a great catchphrase, but do you have a culture and environment in your community and in your buildings and in the school district that supports that?”

DeRuosi said it is not the responsibility for a superintendent, a principal, or a teacher to label a student as a “non-achiever.” Developing a culture in which school district employees perceive all students as able learners starts from the top, he said.

“The superintendent has to walk the talk, preach it day in and day out: all students can,” he said.

DeRuosi also stressed the importance of identifying students who may be falling through the cracks, either academically or socially, at an early age.

“There are plenty of studies that say if you went to middle school and eventually high school without some type of functional literacy, you are really predestined for an at-risk life.”

Closing Remarks

DeRuosi said he’s been working towards a superintendent position for some time. He has achieved experience at every level of the educational ladder, acquired his doctorate, and engaged in many hours of professional development to better qualify as a candidate for a superintendent position.  

More importantly, he said, this is the job for him.

“I’m not looking for a series of superintendencies. I’d like to make a career out of being a superintendent, not multiple positions,” he said. “I’m here because I want to be, I really want to be interviewing in Malden, I would love the opportunity to be in Malden.”