Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

CRANSTON, R.I. -- Wasting no time in filling the School Department's top slot, the School Committee is planning to meet at 5 p.m. on Friday to name a replacement for Superintendent M. Richard Scherza.

The pick: Peter L. Nero, Cranston's assistant superintendent since 2006 and a district employee since 1978.

"He's a wonderful leader," committee member Paul McFarland said Monday. "I think he'll progressively move our school system into another realm."

The plan to appoint Nero comes less than a week after Scherza, 62, announced to staff members that he is retiring as of June 30.

But McFarland said committee members are confident of Nero's abilities and want continuity as one superintendent departs and another takes over.

"It's important that we do not fluctuate our leadership process and that we do not shortchange our students," she said.

Nero, 57, a graduate of Cranston High School East, was hired to teach electronics and power mechanics at Cranston High School West in 1978. He later taught drafting at Bain Middle School and technology at Western Hills Middle School, according to the Journal's archives.

In 1997, he became an assistant principal at Cranston High School East, working with three other assistant principals and then-Principal Don Frederick to help the school secure its accreditation after being placed on probation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

In 1999, he was appointed principal at Western Hills Middle School, where he presided over a climb to high-performing status, as measured by state tests.
He became assistant superintendent in 2006, taking the position that had been held by Scherza.

Nero declined to comment when reached by phone Monday evening on the plan to make him the next superintendent, saying he was in a meeting and had nothing to say "at this time."

Scherza, in announcing his retirement, said he plans to continue working in education but looks forward to a more leisurely pace. He came to Cranston in 2004, serving two years as assistant superintendent before taking over as superintendent in 2006.

He had previously served as superintendent in North Smithfield, Exeter-West Greenwich and New Shoreham.

 Tags  Cranston education school committee schools

Comments

ascorpio said:

I was a member of the Cranston school Committee that appointed Peter Nero to his position at Cranston East. He turned out to be an important member of the Cranston East Team that turned CE around under Don Fredericks. If he is appointed as superintendent it is a great choice and he will be a leader that it is needed at this time. I applaud the school committee for acting quickly, staying witin the system and making an excellent choice. It is well deserved. He knows our school system.

Link | May 18, 2009 10:13 PM
Report Abuse

---

Leave a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.