Meet Portsmouth's New Superintendent Dr. Lynn Krizic

School Superintendent Dr. Lynn Krizic recently spoke about the upcoming fall school year.

Find out what she had to say about the new position and what's in store for students this year!

What attracted you to apply for the position of superintendent?

Dr. Krizic: “When I looked at Portsmouth as a potential professional opportunity, their strategic plan was very compelling to me. It was a plan that was laid out to take them from good to great and being part of that journey was exciting to me. There was also a great deal of parental support for the schools and parents valued the education their children were achieving. The size of the school district was equally important. As an educational leader, you want to develop relationships with your staff as well as to get to know students and families. Those were really the top three things.”

What do you hope to achieve?

Dr. Krizic: “I want to work collaboratively with all the school leaders and the staff. I want the educational outcomes for our students to increase. I have a desire to have this school district become one of the best in the nation, not just the best in Rhode Island or the best on Aquidneck Island. I really believe the passion, energy, and commitment is here to make that possible. So by putting the systems and structures in place and optimizing our fiscal resources we can achieve that.”

How do you view Portsmouth’s implementation of the federally-mandated Response to Education?

Dr. Krizic: “I believe Portsmouth is ahead of the curve. There is a relatively good structure in place. The redesign of the councilor- psychologist position at the elementary schools is just another indication of a commitment of trying to intervene early to try to prevent kids from experiencing any academic failure and any social emotional failure going forward.”

What is your view of regionalization?

Dr. Krizic: “I understand there had been an Aquidneck Island study with regards to regionalization and believe it has been the position of the Portsmouth School Committee and the recent superintendent that that they are not certain that regionalization makes sense for Portsmouth at this time. If you have a quality school system that can operate with the resources that it has, then I really do believe in the concept of local control.”

What will be the relationship you hope to foster with Portsmouth NEA as you go forward?

Dr. Krizic: “In some ways, this is a business, but this is also a family and I have an opportunity to be a strong leader of the family. My goal is to spend time in the classroom, a half day each month in every school is my plan. It’s all set up between September and June.

“I want to get to know every one of my teachers by the end of the school year and be their advocate for teaching and learning. I want to help them, help us, achieve what we need to increase the rigor and relevance of our programs.”

What have been doing to prepare for your role as new superintendent?

Dr. Krizic: “I’ve spent the last four or five weeks in the learning curve.

“There’s a lot to learn, policies, procedures and practices. I’ve met with all the educational leaders and many community members. I want to work with all the parent organizations and learn how I can support their efforts and endeavors because they provide a great deal of support to our schools.”

What have you seen to be the difference between Illinois and Rhode Island educational systems?

Dr. Krizic: “In Illinois there are, I think, much clearer legislative directives for what schools can and can not do. In some ways that is helpful for the developmental procedures and policies within the school districts.

“You don’t like all the rules and regulations being developed. But at least it puts people together with the same understandings to come up with some resolutions. It feels a little grayer here in Rhode Island. That was my first observation.”

What have been your other observations?

Dr. Krizic: “I’m excited to be here. I have found everyone to be open, receptive, honest and forthcoming.”

“I have felt, all the community members I have met, have been incredibly welcoming. It really feels like this is a great personal and professional opportunity to be able commit myself to the Portsmouth School District. I'm not just excited, but I really am honored to be part of this high quality educational organization.”

Will there be any major changes between your style and Dr. Lusi’s style of business?

Dr. Krizic: “As you know, I never had the opportunity to work with Dr. Lusi or to work under her leadership. But, I do know that she too held high expectations and was very professional. She raised the bar when she came to Portsmouth.

“I hope to continue to follow that legacy to continue to raise that bar.”