Narragansett Names New Superintendent

NARRAGANSETT, RI—When it came time to pick a new superintendent to replace Katherine Sipala, who is retiring this fall, the Narragansett School Committee's search ended with a candidate who lives next door: Wakefield resident Peter Cummings.

In a 4-0 vote, the School Committee formally anointed Cummings as the new superintendent at a brief meeting that had the atmosphere of a party.

"Everybody wants to meet him," Sipala said before the meeting as people milled around Town Hall in advance of his arrivial.

School Committee member Keith Ranaldi was unable to attend the meeting, but School Committee Chairwoman Tammy McNeiece said Ranaldi was very much on board with the choice.

Cummings graduated from Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, and then went on to Columbia University's Teachers College in New York City where he earned one of his several graduate degrees.

McNeiece said the school committee heard ideas from three focus groups, which included teachers, parents, taxpayers and other stakeholders. All said the district needed visionary with fresh ideas. The board also wanted someone who could navigate the strategic plan and lead.

"Peter brings all those wonderful qualities," she said. He has been a teacher, a principal, an associate superintendent, and is also an educator who has trained other principals. She also called him a wonderful communicator.

"Your supervisor is very sad today," she told Cummings.

Cummings said he has "big shoes to fill" and plans to "take that great base" Sipala established and take the district to the next level.

"I could not be more thrilled to be here," he said.

Caption: Peter Cummings, Narragansett's new superintendent of schools. Credit: Margo Sullivan