Waltham special ed assistant tapped for pupil services job

Waltham special ed assistant tapped for pupil services job
Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON Narragansett’s next academic year will look considerably different with three new administrators at the helm, as the School Committee unanimously voted Wednesday night to offer the newly created position of director of pupil services to Deborah Del Dotto.

Three finalists for the position were vetted by members of the School Committee on Tuesday night, with member Vicki Chartier reporting during the committee’s regular meeting that, among those present for the interviews, a clear front-runner had emerged.

“I’m happy to say our search committee had one favorite and the people who attended last night had a favorite,” she said. “The majority of the School Committee had Debor­ah Del Dotto as their top pick.”

Superintendent Ruth Miller added that, after watching the interviews, she shared the committee’s opinion, saying that Ms. Del Dotto has the experience and understanding that put her a step above the other two candidates.

“She was the only one that has the boots-on-the-ground experience in a school district working with kids and teachers,” Ms. Miller said. “We need someone to come in who understands the process, under­­stands the different disabilities, and can hit the ground running working with teachers and staff, and I think she’s that person.”

Ms. Del Dotto will replace the current Special Education Director Ann Morgan, who will retire at the end of the school year. When accepting her retirement, the committee voted to include student services under the special education director’s umbrella of responsibilities, creating the director of pupil services position to oversee the K-12 guidance and nursing staff in addition to developing and implementing the district’s special education programs.

Ms. Del Dotto is currently the assistant director of special education with Waltham Public Schools. She has previously worked as an assistant principal in the Wachusett Regional School District and as director of alternative education for Ashland Public Schools.

Ms. Miller said she would like to bring Ms. Del Dotto into the district and introduce her to faculty and staff before the Finance Subcommittee begins contract negotiations.