[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6280540,"mediaKeyId","2614978-8abb1a29b5b72a29224560bda9e89fcd","parentId",2614978,"title","Assistant superintendent finalist Michelle McKeon emphasizes relationship-driven leadership, data protocols and teacher-led professional learning","audioSeconds",5840,"startMs",12640000,"endMs",18480000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2614978-8abb1a29b5b72a29224560bda9e89fcd&start=12640&end=18480","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2614978-8abb1a29b5b72a29224560bda9e89fcd/thumbnail_12640000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6280540/Mansfield-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/Assistant-superintendent-finalist-Michelle-McKeon-emphasizes-relationship-driven-leadership-data-protocols-and-teacher-led-professional-learning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280540-e7c7642500f17beec034c34612c59351/orig.mp4?Expires=1770406548&Signature=DTTXp7ThdSvWbLrO9AmGxeA4tXGFGhitc9CjMgf6LeUUoDEkZNAtnfhdAm-IGhg5225zVLK4gDmRcfO9JDL5V5naR9~LRq~3CgaS74HV3aPk~zqTYZXuFzph7Y4aKyFWOoGGGjsKvXK9rd8LVtqOuLWvzeNwD6Cu~-laNNkHNiAVRVOD~vcmG9QBf2UZOme3qLeKtOnUGfSyIbbpVCk79xE4Qits6wtScqe8QONJ8mgWxVlIKAlYMQssWuoU75BhEJuEBFyLRrBi9XpnPxyR1p8drED1ymgYJmoL98NAtRwN9AI1hVvx6SfiK3JAPdxfFhyyKt9Cit0-C~xslZzmRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mansfield Public Schools, MA","date","2025-02-08T00:00:00Z","article","Michelle McKeon, North Attleboro assistant superintendent and a finalist for Mansfield superintendent, told the Mansfield School Committee on Feb. 8 that her leadership centers on relationships, clear district priorities and equipping teacher-leaders to drive instructional improvement.

\"If people have seen me around the district, I've been at schools visiting, I have coffee hours,\" McKeon said, describing a visibility-centered approach that she pairs with explicit, repeatable routines for improving teaching and learning.

Why it matters: McKeon presented concrete operational tactics that a hired superintendent could deploy quickly — a compact strategic framework, a district professional-learning steering committee, a \"Foursquare\" data protocol to analyze gaps, and teacher-led training — all intended to build shared vocabulary and accelerate classroom practice.

Details from the interview

- District strategic framework and goals: McKeon described building a short, user-friendly strategic plan centered on four pillars (success for all students, deeper learning, effective financial operations, and community partnerships), and said she expects every staff member to set goals aligned to the district’s stated priorities.

- Data and instructional support: McKeon recommended a simple four-box protocol for grade-level or PLC teams to analyze assessment data, identify the problem of practice, trial targeted strategies and then collect follow-up evidence in six weeks. She emphasized short cycles of observation and on‑the‑job coaching.

- Professional development and teacher leadership: McKeon said she reorganized PD in her district around yearlong themes tied to strategic goals, run by a professional-learning steering committee that includes teacher leaders; teachers then deliver tailored sessions at their schools so learning translates quickly into classroom practice.

- Safety, health and substance misuse: McKeon described townwide safety planning with police, fire and a consultant to generate operational checklists and 5‑minute videos for staff and students. She also supports multi-layered prevention strategies for vaping and substance use: curriculum units by grade, family sessions and alternatives to punitive discipline paired with counseling supports.

- Budgeting and facilities: McKeon said she uses a collaborative, school-by-school approach to prioritize spending and looks for grant and partnership opportunities to sustain extracurriculars and specialty programs when general funds are tight.

Context and next steps

McKeon said she applied to Mansfield because the job posting’s emphasis on belonging and student-centered outcomes matched her values; she also noted a local connection to the community. The committee will deliberate and vote in a public meeting scheduled after the interviews; no hiring decision was taken at the Feb. 8 session.

Ending

McKeon closed by noting her doctorate research on closing the opportunity gap and said she wants to \"immerse\" in a district and stay long term if chosen.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mansfield School Committee 2/8/2025 ~ Superintendent Interviews","oneSentenceSummary","Michelle McKeon, assistant superintendent in North Attleboro and the third finalist interviewed, emphasized relationship-building, a simple district strategic framework, teacher leadership, a Foursquare data protocol and retooled professional development to improve instruction and close gaps.","taxTitle","Mansfield Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",56663,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6280545,"Attorney-turned-superintendent Carolyn Lyons pitches collaborative, equity-driven leadership and mental-health focus",4810,650000,5460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2614978-8abb1a29b5b72a29224560bda9e89fcd&start=650&end=5460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2614978-8abb1a29b5b72a29224560bda9e89fcd/thumbnail_650000.jpg","/articles/6280545/Mansfield-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/Attorney-turned-superintendent-Carolyn-Lyons-pitches-collaborative-equity-driven-leadership-and-mental-health-focus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280545-d60a3e952b2d978465d0b88f6b25c8a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770406548&Signature=gjsqkzuy4T6AG9a~hlf7jTxlk9X~Fxmi7zT7UqNDqID-EHsSxC3W9QxKzQ9hV6LnnN1pgOeghgZkU7ILEQth7gFdrtIRkRaZhqN9VtCMmHbeI1koc8pKu39asbvDU3oharCA~ZkhSz7lT1RDX3y1K3Hv9vtkuoruCE48XVwU5xFJ~EQf1dfCA61dJ225KnlAUb54MQAe19thOK7LRHS4NWb7NCicG44rgs9VVNQw0Q8I1UTp9XUyrPVEiO1AaMnNLXdfYbXNQehZhZsWzWN0H~4LApLlL7rXUDwZPT1velZbx-L0Aqgn~ojfBfYLTlFTfEOWSLFSiZNlqIgx0XyF7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carolyn Lyons, superintendent of Middleborough Public Schools and a finalist for Mansfield’s superintendent job, told the Mansfield School Committee on Feb. 8 that she views the superintendent’s role as a collaborative conductor who must center students, protect staff and build relationships across town government.

\"The superintendent is really the conductor of an orchestra,\" Lyons said during her hourlong public interview, adding that strong results require buy-in from teachers, parents and community partners. Lyons said she leads by building relationships, staying transparent and modeling vulnerability so staff are comfortable taking risks and improving instruction.

Why it matters: Lyons positions mental-health supports and technology literacy — including responsible classroom use of AI — as priorities for districts like Mansfield, which are already high performing overall but face gaps for specific student subgroups and growing social-emotional needs.

Details from the interview

- Mental health and digital literacy: Lyons highlighted gaps identified in Mansfield’s equity audit and survey data and urged stronger mental-health systems and easier access to care. She recommended a care-navigation service (she cited Care Solace from her Middleborough experience) to reduce wait times for counseling and to provide a warm handoff from referral to first appointment.

- Instructional improvement: Lyons described the use of instructional rounds and \"problem of practice\" work to align administrators' observations and themes across classrooms. She said leadership teams should train together to agree on what they see in classrooms before initiating schoolwide improvements.

- Safety and public health: Lyons described a district safety audit in Middleborough that brought police, fire, SROs and an outside contractor together to test procedures and run tabletop exercises. She said the most effective audits include local chiefs and result in clear checklists and follow-ups.

- Hiring and human resources: Lyons outlined multi-step hiring that uses screening committees, in-person interviews and situational exercises. She said retention depends on how employees are treated and recommended teacher leadership programs, targeted professional development and visible workplace supports.

- Budget and facilities: Lyons said financial decisions should align with a district’s strategic plan and be framed honestly for taxpayers. She has experience with capital and MSBA building projects and said long-range plans must prioritize safety and energy-efficient maintenance while keeping town-government collaboration central.

Context and next steps

Lyons said she applied for the Mansfield job because the district had already undertaken an equity audit and because of her geographic proximity; she told the committee she lives close enough to attend events and respond quickly to incidents. The committee did not take a hiring vote during the interviews; deliberations and a public vote are scheduled for a later meeting.

Ending

Lyons told the committee she is comfortable making tough calls when necessary and that her legal background has made her an \"unafraid\" advocate for students: \"I am completely unafraid to over and over again support and defend our students,\" she said.","Carolyn Lyons, superintendent of Middleborough Public Schools and one of three finalists, emphasized collaborative, empathy-based leadership, investment in student mental health and digital literacy, and use of instructional rounds and safety audits during her Feb. 8 interview with Mansfield School Committee.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6280550,"East Bridgewater superintendent finalist stresses team approach, data-driven supports in Mansfield interview",6030,0,6030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2614978-8abb1a29b5b72a29224560bda9e89fcd&start=0&end=6030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2614978-8abb1a29b5b72a29224560bda9e89fcd/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6280550/Mansfield-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/East-Bridgewater-superintendent-finalist-stresses-team-approach-data-driven-supports-in-Mansfield-interview","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280550-b106e746b7aad72a017d62551fb1deba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770406548&Signature=GvdZ1H4IgY9mMH5Knxb9v9IRQ~9xhtbU2wHVav6CFWKKZzz~JfgkJsXaKIsBNPGBr258-p8k4LTC7cD~Is25sZsrILnChOcArRU36xzFcvnO6FVdt27JvkL~foZ5~CBmHQyXWPI4iDH-bdsLoDsW3kDuC9~wt~lN7OojW27erXMK-Sr~0GLx6Z68Jnw9H5bWg-4uq5Bm~BbZmRQ8Iq163~xqoSKpkcBorX491mVzjHcgXe020ilhhQvLwT8AFGP4uWRVC8wrYI3ZS0uwHoLFI6PMhxT6Nv9HDXhD9YLBtT~A8X7sujN7f9PfI9geWPpE9V3sj4PLrx~yjPej6hVi3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Elizabeth Legault, a finalist to become Mansfield’s next superintendent, told the Mansfield School Committee on Feb. 8 that she leads by collaboration, frequent school visits and data-driven supports, and that she would prioritize classroom staffing, targeted interventions and broad professional development if hired.

Legault said she seeks to build trust by working closely with principals and staff: \"We're a team. And it's a team approach,\" she said, describing regular principal meetings, walk-throughs and instructional coaching. She summarized her approach to community and conflict this way: \"I don't do drama.\" She said school business should be handled by district staff and kept \"in-house\" until an appropriate, timely public message is required.

Why it matters: Mansfield is seeking a superintendent to start July 2025 to lead a district with strong overall achievement but ongoing conversations about mental-health supports, inclusion and curriculum alignment. Legault framed her priorities around student supports and classroom capacity, stressing that decisions must be rooted in data and in what improves instruction.

Details from the interview

- Instruction and interventions: Legault described use of multiple assessments (MCAS, MAP and i-Ready) and a multi-tiered system of supports to identify students who need interventions and to deploy instructional coaches and facilitators. She described expanding special-education staff in intermediate grades as an example of interventions that keep students in general-education classrooms: \"We have 2 special needs teachers on every team in grades 3, 4, 5 and 6,\" she said.

- Hiring and retention: Legault said principals should lead hiring for their buildings and then forward top candidates to central office for final review. She emphasized mentoring and a district professional-development program to retain staff and described working with principals to make competitive salary offers for hard-to-fill positions.

- Professional development: She described a district \"professional development academy\" that combines content-focused training with wellness and team-building sessions, including health-and-wellness days and math and DEI consultants.

- Safety and public health: Legault described regular coordination with police and fire, ALICE training and drills, and a long-standing practice of tabletop exercises with public-safety partners. On public-health response she cited the district's COVID experience and use of local public-health officials and additional cleaning measures during outbreaks.

- Budget approach: Legault said she avoids layoffs and prefers to manage tight years through attrition and cross-district realignments; she noted past success in improving revolving-account balances and said she would begin budget planning early and collaborate with town leadership and unions.

Context and next steps

The committee scheduled 90-minute interviews for each finalist. Legault’s session was one of three public interviews the committee held that day; no hiring decision was made at the meeting. The committee will deliberate and vote in a public meeting on Monday evening, Feb. 10, according to the chair's announcement.

Ending

Legault closed by saying she was excited about Mansfield’s programs and community and that she felt ready for the district’s next step: \"It feels that it is the right district for me,\" she said.","Elizabeth Legault, one of three finalists interviewed by the Mansfield School Committee, told members she leads by collaboration and data, emphasizing multi-tiered supports, teacher mentoring and a districtwide professional development academy — while saying she avoids public drama and keeps school business in-house.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assistant superintendent finalist Michelle McKeon emphasizes relationship-driven leadership, data protocols and teacher-led professional learning

Attorney-turned-superintendent Carolyn Lyons pitches collaborative, equity-driven leadership and mental-health focus

East Bridgewater superintendent finalist stresses team approach, data-driven supports in Mansfield interview