The Arlington School Committee is pleased to announce a successor employment agreement with Dr. Elizabeth Homan, superintendent of Arlington Public Schools, for a term of five years, covering the full implementation period of the proposed APS Strategic Plan.
During Dr. Homan’s first-year evaluation at the November 17, 2022 School Committee meeting, committee members praised Dr. Homan’s leadership, and noted her achievements including a Pandemic Return to School plan, new district vision, mission, and strategic priorities, a revised, values-based budget process, and improved transparency and consistency of school improvement plans.
School Committee Chair Liz Exton notes, “Her leadership in the coming years will provide stability to the district to advance the goals of the proposed Strategic Plan to ensure equity in education, empower all staff, promote collaborative partnerships with families, and to commit to infrastructure improvements. Dr. Homan leads a talented team to support our educators, and most importantly, our students and families.”
Since joining APS, Dr. Homan has focused her efforts on listening to stakeholders, including APS staff, students, families, and the greater community in order to develop new vision and mission statements for the district. Dr. Homan initiated instructional leadership teams, navigated the health and safety of our students and staff during the pandemic, and focused efforts to build a sense of belonging within the APS community. In addition to her work to strengthen the district’s educational opportunities and culture, she is the educational leader for the district’s major building project, collective bargaining, operating budget, capital improvements, and the ongoing safety and security of all school buildings. Dr. Homan currently has oversight of eleven school buildings and over 1,100 APS staff members, along with responsibility for nearly 6,000 students.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue my tenure in Arlington,” Dr. Homan expressed. “I'm looking forward to implementing the exciting plans we have developed in partnership with the community. Arlington is a truly special town and I am honored and humbled to serve its brilliant students, staff, and families for the next five years, and hopefully many more after that.”
In preparing to negotiate the contract, the School Committee reviewed compensation from comparable districts, including the “town manager 12” communities. Beginning July 1, 2023, Dr. Homan’s compensation for fiscal year (FY) 2024 will be $220,000, with other terms and benefits of her original contract maintained. Compensation will also include a retention bonus for fulfilling the five-year contract. The School Committee intends for the five-year term and retention bonus to support stable leadership for the district at a time when quality superintendents are in high demand.
According to published reports, there are approximately 35 active superintendent searches in Massachusetts out of 275 positions, with additional vacancies expected this year.