SEEKONK — The Seekonk Superintendent Search Committee is pleased to announce that Rockland Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Kidwell has been selected as the next superintendent of Seekonk Public Schools.
Pending successful contract negotiations, Kidwell is expected to assume her new role on July 1 following Superintendent Rich Drolet’s departure from the district at the end of the school year.
“I’m thrilled to join the Seekonk team, in large part because of the community that cares strongly about education. I truly believe we can work together to maintain Seekonk’s existing strengths and provide avenues for change and growth where the opportunities exist,” Kidwell said. “Seekonk’s students deserve a school system that prepares them for post-secondary education and 21st-century careers. I look forward to working with the school committee, the leadership team, faculty, staff and families to make the Seekonk Public Schools a successful and enjoyable learning experience for all students.”
Kidwell has served as Assistant Superintendent of Rockland Public Schools since 2021. In this role, she led the district review, adoption and implementation process around district-designed resources for literacy and writing. She is also credited with expanding Rockland’s English Learner Education (ELE) department by providing districtwide professional development to support best practices in English Language Development and Sheltered English Immersion instruction and initiating free adult education for English Learners.
Prior to serving in the Rockland Public Schools district, Kidwell held several positions within Braintree Public Schools including Director of Technology and Accountability, Interim Director of Curriculum and Technology, Director of English, Reading and English Learner Education and as an English teacher.
Kidwell received a Master of Education degree in organizational management from Endicott College, a master’s degree in teaching English from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Oberlin College.
Outside of work, Kidwell is involved in several professional organizations including the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, Massachusetts Association of Superintendents (MASS), South Shore Roundtable of MASS and Massachusetts Association of Teachers of Speakers of Other Languages.
She was also a member of the K-6 Digital Literacy and Computer Science Integration Network and a Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers fellow.
Kidwell was selected following a rigorous candidate search that began in March. On May 18, the Superintendent Search Committee publicly interviewed its three finalists and conducted tours of the schools before selecting Kidwell as the superintendent-elect.
“I’d like to thank our three finalists – Dr. Andrea Schwamb, Rebecca Kidwell and Dr. Marlene DiLeo – as they each put significant effort into pursuing a leadership position in our school district,” Search Committee and School Committee Chair Meaghan Mahoney said. “The School Committee applauds their efforts and professionalism throughout the process, and we thank them for their interest in the community we all call home. I’d also like to thank my School Committee colleagues for working to make the best possible decisions for our students, faculty, staff, parents and community.”
The Superintendent Search Committee would also like to thank the District Leadership team – including building Principals, Assistant Principals, teachers and staff – that assisted in coordinating the candidates’ visits and the greater school community for their involvement throughout the process.
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