Dr. Sawyer, superintendent of schools for Shrewsbury, announced at the Oct. 8 School Committee meeting that he will retire effective the end of June 2026. He told the committee he has served the district for 29 years and 17 years as superintendent and said the timing will allow for an orderly leadership transition.

Why it matters: The superintendent is the district’s chief executive and education leader. Dr. Sawyer’s departure sets in motion a formal search process the committee and community must manage while the district completes the third year of its five-year strategic plan and maintains current operations.

Dr. Sawyer said the decision was both professional and personal and that he does not yet have a postretirement plan. “I have decided that it is the time for me, effective the end of this June, to retire from this position as superintendent of schools in Shrewsbury,” he told the committee. He described confidence in the district’s financial stability, settled collective bargaining agreements and a strong leadership team as reasons the district can make a smooth transition.

Committee members responded with public thanks and personal remarks. Erin Boucher, chairperson of the Shrewsbury School Committee, praised Dr. Sawyer’s leadership through the pandemic, two school construction projects and two operational overrides and said the committee will undertake a “thorough and inclusive” search. Multiple members called his tenure “bittersweet,” noting the district’s stability and accomplishments under his leadership.

Next steps: Dr. Sawyer and committee members said there will be more to announce about the formal search process in the months ahead. The committee will lead or authorize the superintendent search consistent with its governance practices and timelines for hiring a successor.

No committee action was taken to alter the superintendent’s retirement date at the meeting; members said they will discuss the search process in future meetings and noted the district goals vote scheduled for one week later as part of the year’s calendar.