For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019

News Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Cohasset Superintendent of Schools Louise Demas Announces Retirement this Spring

COHASSET — Cohasset Superintendent of Schools Louise L. Demas announces that she will be retiring this spring after a more than 40 year career in education.

“As my husband has been retired for a time, and as our family has expanded to include our daughter-in-law and grandson, I have decided I would like more time with them to have those family adventures I often advocate for others. With that said, I have decided to retire at the end of my current contract this spring,” Demas said. “I hope to be of help to the School Committee in the process of finding the best candidate to continue our mission of addressing the unique needs of our staff and students and will continue to offer my support for the remainder of this year. It has been an honor to serve in the Cohasset Public School District.”

Superintendent Demas began her 42 year career as an educator in Massachusetts in 1977 as an English Language Arts instructor at the F.A. Day Middle School in Newton.

From there, she worked in several school districts and colleges, holding a variety of positions, throughout the state including: Silver Lake Regional High School in Kingston, Silver Lake Regional Middle School, Pembroke High School, Bridgewater State University, Quincy Junior College, Massasoit Community College, Eastern Nazarene College and the Weymouth Public School District.

Her time in the Cohasset Public School District began in 2009 as a Program Supervisor for Humanities, a position she held until 2011. From 2011 to 2015 she was the Director of Curriculum and Instruction. She was named Assistant Superintendent of the District in 2015 and held the role for one year before being named Superintendent in 2016.

As Cohasset’s superintendent, Demas has had several achievements and accomplishments that have helped modernize and improve operations at CPS, including:

• Successfully leading contract negotiations with teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians and secretaries
• Responsible for hiring the current Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, the Director of Finance and Operations for the District, the Joseph Osgood School principal, the Deer Hill principal and the Middle School Associate Principal
• Instituting reform at Cohasset Middle School, replacing the instructional structure and implementing a new literacy program for grades K-5
• Working on ensuring the continued availability of the INTERFACE counseling referral service for those dealing with mental health issues, and expanding the program’s availability to all Cohasset residents
• Bringing forward a successful district budget each year

In 1999, Demas was named a Walmart Teacher of the Year for her work as a seventh grade teacher at Silver Lake Regional Middle School working on bringing attention to individual differences and diversity.

She received a Patriot Ledger “Golden Apple Award for Outstanding Teachers” in 1994 and was named a “Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities,” by the publication of the same name, whereby universities nominate students for exceptional scholarship and leadership.

“Education is the very best profession,” Demas said. “Teaching and administration are difficult but very meaningful work. What other career can claim having influenced award-winning scientists, mathematicians, artists, writers and craftsmen? I have been very fortunate to have worked in a number of districts all of which have been rewarding and enriching for me. I have also been very fortunate to have had the opportunities of teaching different levels and content as well as having experience in various administrative positions. Each change in my career has been unique, challenging, and rewarding.”

###