Cari Berman is interim supt.; Ken Kelley in charge of finance and operations
MELROSE — The Melrose School Committee voted on June 24 to accept a restructuring plan for the Melrose Public Schools district leadership team. The plan ensures that all school services, including special education and the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) program, continue to be provided uninterrupted as the district begins the transition to a permanent Superintendent of Schools.
The committee’s leadership plan does not impact the School Department budget, adjusting job titles and some scopes of responsibility without changing the overall number of district administrators.
“Making sure that our Interim Superintendent has the right people and the right positions on her team is how we set the district up for success as we prepare for the 2025-26 school year,” said School Committee Chair Dorie Withey. “With Interim Superintendent Berman leading the district and Interim Deputy Superintendent Kelley continuing to focus on our budget and fiscal priorities, I am confident in the course and direction of our schools for next year.”
The plan, adopted unanimously by the School Committee last week, organizes district leadership into the following positions: Interim Superintendent of Schools, Interim Deputy Superintendent for Finance and Operations, Executive Director of Academics and Accountability, Director of Student Relations and Interim Special Education Director. Several staffing selections have already been made by the School Committee, including:
• Cari Berman, Interim Superintendent of Schools (pending contract negotiations) – Ms. Berman previously served as the Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services, leading the district’s special education programming.
• Ken Kelley, Interim Deputy Superintendent for Finance and Operations – Mr. Kelley was formerly titled School Business Manager and will continue to oversee school budgets, finances and operation.
• Linda Chase and Marc Kerble, serving jointly as Interim Special Education Directors – Ms. Chase and Mr. Kerble are veteran special educators who shared a similar role in Stoneham’s public schools over the past two school years.
• Melanie Acevedo, Executive Director of Academics and Accountability – Ms. Acevedo moves from her former position as Director of Data, Assessment, and Instructional Technology, to expand her scope of work.
The leadership plan includes the creation of an Interim Director of Special Education, a responsibility previously encompassed by Interim Superintendent Berman before she was selected to lead the school district. The superintendent and School Committee opted to name two individuals, Linda Chase and Marc Kerble, to serve as co-directors of special education, responsible for the provision of special education programming and compliance with special education laws and regulations.
The School Committee also created a Director of Student Relations position, a portfolio which will encompass the roles of director of METCO, coordinator of Title IX and Office of Civil Rights compliance, and liaison for the placement of McKinney-Vento homeless students and students in foster care. This key role will support a range of students and programs and ensure that the district observes all relevant legal obligations under state and federal law regarding vulnerable students and students and families who live in Boston and attend Melrose schools as part of the METCO program. The hiring process for this position is underway, with plans to select finalists in mid- July.
“One of my first priorities as Interim Superintendent is establishing a strong and cohesive Central Office Team that can lead Melrose Public Schools in spite of challenges arising from staff turnover, budgetary constraints, a pending override, and upcoming employee contract negotiations,” said Interim Superintendent Berman. “I believe this plan meets the needs of the district and provides more targeted support to METCO and special education students and families, a need clearly identified by a number of reports, parent groups and meetings in recent years.”
A recording of the June 24 meeting of the Melrose School Committee is available on-demand at mmtv3.org and the meeting agenda and other materials can be found through the Meetings & Agendas portal at cityofmelrose.org.
Last month, after the resignation of Superintendent of Schools Adam Deleidi, the School Committee announced the selection of then-Acting Superintendent Cari Berman to lead the Melrose Public Schools. The June 24 vote of the School Committee elevates Berman to the role of Interim Superintendent for one year. Berman’s leadership team is also joined by senior advisor John Macero, former interim superintendent of the Melrose schools, who is working with school and district leaders to develop a transition plan towards a permanent superintendent.