Natick Superintendent Chosen For Same Role In Newton

NATICK, MA — Natick Superintendent Anna Nolin was selected by the Newton School Committee as their next superintendent, according to a news release from the district.

She was selected by a unanimous vote on Friday.

“We are thrilled to invite Dr. Nolin to join the Newton Public Schools as our next superintendent. Her values as a data-driven leader focused on improving outcomes for all students align perfectly with the mission of the Newton Public Schools,” said Tamika Olszewski, Chair of the Newton School Committee.

“We deeply appreciate her commitment to developing a strategic vision for our district that articulates the strength and skills we want for both our staff and our students.”

Nolin is expected to join the district on July 1, which is conditional on "successful contract negotiations," the district said.

Nolin served as interim superintendent in March 2018 before the interim tag was removed in December of that same year.

During her tenure, she's acquired grant funds for the district and guided Natick through the COVID-19 pandemic. She was also named the president of the New England Association of Superintendents in 2018.

In 2021, she was also at the helm when the School Committee voted to close Johnson Elementary School by 2025.

According to district officials at the time, Johnson will need at least $3.3 million in renovations in the next five years, the bulk of that for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades. Officials have said that money would be better spent upgrading other district facilities, like Memorial Elementary.

In a presentation to the School Committee, Superintendent Anna Nolin said Johnson students would gradually move to Brown, Lilja and Memorial elementary schools. Just 44 students would remain at Johnson in the final year of the phased closure.

Nolin's competition in the Newton search included New Bedford Superintendent Thomas Anderson and Acton-Boxborough Regional School District Superintendent Peter Light.