LONGMEADOW – Set to start July 1, new Longmeadow Public Schools Superintendent M. Martin O’Shea said he would take a collaborative approach while settling into the position. 

O’Shea, who was the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District’s (HWRSD) superintendent for seven years, told Reminder Publications he plans to work with teachers, administrative and elected officials, parents and students off the bat to help him understand the town’s vision for the future under his leadership.

“It’s a very high performing district with an incredible tradition of educational excellence and so my intention is to build on that strong foundation and I want to understand further what the community’s educational vision is … Visions and goals need to be collectively built. Many people ask me what’s my goal; what’s my vision. My goal is to work with stakeholders to develop goals and strategic plans and to bring stakeholders together so there’s a combined understanding of the direction that the district wants to go in,” he said.

When asked how he would handle a potential decline in enrollment in Longmeadow, O’Shea, said he first needs to “learn more about the educational foundation and fiscal challenges” during his first year before creating a plan to address the issue.

“You have to understand how to balance the educational goals with the fiscal realities that you’re facing,” he explained.

HWRSD has been facing a decline in enrollment during the past several years. The district’s Middle School Task Force recommended unifying middle schools in the two communities, which has seen public backlash, especially from Hampden residents.

O’Shea is no stranger to the district. He was a history teacher at Longmeadow High School (LHS) from 1994 to 2001 and was the Social Studies Department chair from 1997 to 2001. He also was LHS’ assistant principal from 2001 to 2005, after which he took a job as principal of Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham.

He said he sent an email to teachers in Longmeadow about the “annual finish line” of summer vacation, which serves as an opportunity for teachers to start over and improve upon the previous year.

“That’s one of the things that always attracted me to teaching and so in many respects I’m being given that opportunity now as superintendent,” O’Shea explained. “I have an opportunity to build upon the work I’ve done in the past.”

O’Shea also shared some words of advice to his successor at HWRSD, Albert Ganem Jr., current district manager of professional learning for Worcester Public Schools, who HWRD’s School Committee named as its top choice for superintendent at its June 17 meeting.

“I think the words of advice that I would give him are the words of advice that I’m giving to myself and that’s to listen and to learn,” O’Shea said.  

He said he looks forward to being “reacquainted” with Longmeadow by visiting classrooms, meeting staff and students, as well as going to school and community events.

“There’s plenty I need to learn and relearn about the Longmeadow school community,” he added. “I’m eager and excited and very hopeful.”

Got a comment about this story? Go to http://speakout.thereminder.com and let us know.