BROCKTON — The Brockton School Committee penned a contract with new Interim Superintendent Priya Tahiliani last week, solidifying her as the school district’s temporary leader for the upcoming year.
Tahiliani started her new role on July 17, just one day after the new contract was signed. She will serve as interim superintendent of Brockton Public Schools for one year until her contract ends on June 30, 2025.
“I’m feeling so honored and excited to be starting this adventure,” Tahiliani said. “I look forward to continuing that momentum.”
Tahiliani will replace Acting Superintendent James Cobbs, who will return to his position as deputy superintendent of operations after serving as the temporary superintendent since Sept. 1, 2023.
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In August 2023, Brockton Public Schools Superintendent Michael Thomas left the district on medical leave following the discovery of a $18 million overspent budget in 2023. He was later placed on paid administrative leave in February 2024 and remains on leave. Cobbs has been the acting superintendent since.
The school committee unanimously approved Tahiliani's contract at a special committee meeting on June 16, and members said they were excited to have Tahiliani sign on.
“She is all in and she’s a champion,” Brockton Mayor and School Committee Chair Robert F. Sullivan said. “We’re really pleased to be able to move forward together as partners and as collaborators.”
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What's in Tahiliani's contract?
According to the contract, Tahiliani will earn a salary of $235,000 this school year. She'll receive 15 days of sick leave that come with no buyback option, 25 days of vacation time, five days of bereavement leave and three personal days.
The committee and Tahiliani will create a list of goals and objectives for the upcoming year, and the committee will evaluate Tahiliani's success accomplishing those goals once her contract comes to an end. The committee will use the evaluation guidelines outlined by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
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As interim superintendent, Tahiliani will be responsible for managing and supervising the entire Brockton school system . Her duties include overseeing curriculum and instruction district-wide, as well as hiring, firing, promoting and reshuffling school district personnel, from teachers to central office staff.
Tahiliani will also oversee how the school district spends the funds in its budget, as well as implementing school policy.
“It's been wonderful to meet all of the community members that have already met, and I really look forward to getting to meet and engage with the rest of the school community over the next few months," Tahiliani said.
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The committee is permitted to terminate Tahiliani's contract with 15 days notice for instances of "incompetence, incapacity, inefficiency," failure to satisfy her duties or fulfill her goals or for "conduct unbecoming a Superintendent."
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton Public Schools' new interim superintendent 'excited' to join school district
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