Smithfield Schools: Judith Paolucci Named New Superintendent

SMITHFIELD, RI — Smithfield has named a new schools superintendent, the school committee said this week. Dr. Judith J. Paolucci, currently the leader of the Leicester, Mass., public schools, will take over from Smithfield’s longtime superintendent of schools, Robert O’Brien. He is retiring later this summer. Her start date will be Aug. 1.

Paolucci was chosen after a three-month search. Candidates from across New England applied, the Smithfield School Committee said. The search committee reviewed 20 applicants for the position, and interviewed eight candidates, all of whom were current superintendents, and all held doctoral degrees, Sean Clough, school committee chairman, said.“It was a very strong applicant pool, with extremely qualified candidates. We feel we have found the right person for this job.”

Dr. Paolucci was the superintendent in Yarmouth, Maine, from 2009 to 2014. She is also a former assistant superintendent for the Narragansett school system.

During her tenure in Leicester, Dr. Paolucci improved technology infrastructure and access throughout the district, including establishing a one-to-one Chromebook initiative at the high school. She is also credited with improving town-school relations through effective communication and a transparent budget process, supporting the development of leadership skills through regular training for teacher leaders and administrators, and ensuring support for students who are not meeting academic expectations through a data-based “Response to Intervention” model. Throughout her career, she has emphasized facilitating curriculum development, implementing effective professional development programs, managing grant and local budget funds, and working with school-based administrators to meet state and federal mandates and improving the quality of instruction in all schools.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Rhode Island College, and holds a master’s degree in environmental studies from Brown University. She also is a doctor of education from the University of Rhode Island/Rhode Island College.

In addition, she brings 10 years of high school teaching experience and is a former science curriculum coordinator. She served as executive director of the Rhode Island Teaching and Learning Center, where she researched, planned, and implemented effective professional development programs for RI teachers and instructional coaches, facilitating RI’s National Board Certification Initiative.