BROCKTON, Mass. — The Brockton School Committee voted unanimously Aug. 5 to approve an interim assistant superintendent position overseeing grades 9–12 and compliance as part of a one‑year realignment of district leadership.

Superintendent (name not specified) presented the proposal to redistribute work across the cabinet after the district did not immediately fill the assistant superintendent of secondary schools vacancy created when Michelle Connors left earlier this year. The superintendent said the change will move some duties from eight cabinet members down to seven for a trial year and that the reorganization “does come with a cost savings on the district leadership team.”

The committee approved naming Kim Tsai to take on the interim assistant superintendent 9–12 and compliance responsibilities while retaining her duties as director of compliance and strategy. The superintendent told the committee Tsai holds assistant‑superintendent licensure and “was the deputy superintendent in the Everett Public Schools,” where she “oversaw the principals” and worked on school improvement plans. The superintendent said Dr. Karen Spalding, the current assistant superintendent of elementary schools, would oversee pre‑K through 8 to support vertical alignment with high schools.

The superintendent described the change as a one‑year pilot and said the district will present a full breakdown of work streams and an updated organizational chart in September. The committee also heard that everyone on the leadership team would absorb some additional responsibilities as part of the realignment.

Committee members praised the move in discussion before the vote. Vice Chairman Rodriguez made the motion to approve the interim assistant superintendent 9–12 and compliance; Ms. Oliver seconded the motion. The chair called for a hand vote and the motion passed unanimously.

Discussion (not action): Committee members asked about qualifications and progress in procurement and compliance work. Mr. Vega asked, “What qualifies Kim Sai to be, in this role?” The superintendent responded by listing Tsai’s licensure and prior experience in Everett and noted she previously met regularly with principals on school improvement plans. Several members thanked Dr. Spalding and Tsai for accepting extra responsibilities.

Decision and next steps: The committee approved the interim appointment and the superintendent said staff would communicate changes to principals, share a detailed list of responsibilities for each cabinet role in September, and monitor the pilot throughout the year. The superintendent characterized the change as an opportunity to “determine if our current structure is the best” and, after assessment, to decide whether to repost or redesign the permanent role.

Clarifying details and limits: The committee recorded the action as a one‑year pilot; any permanent change will be considered later. The superintendent said cost savings would result from the realignment but did not specify an amount. The superintendent said the interim role’s job description is similar to the previous assistant superintendent of secondary schools but limited to grades 9–12; high school coordinators and principals will be overseen under the interim assignment.

Ending: The committee asked the superintendent to return in September with an organizational chart and full description of redistributed work to allow the committee to evaluate the pilot.