Peter Cushing outlines priorities for Beverly Public Schools in committee interview

Peter Cushing, a finalist for superintendent of Beverly Public Schools and currently serving in district leadership in Medford, presented his entry plan and answered a series of questions from the Beverly School Committee in a public interview session.

Cushing opened by describing his visit to Beverly schools earlier in the day and said he had prepared an entry plan with three phases for learning the district and soliciting community input. "We should almost see it as a reopening, a reinvigorating of our school district," he said, listing forums, listening sessions, translation services and on‑the‑ground outreach—coffee hours, evening desserts, and visits to neighborhoods—as ways to increase participation from families who do not typically engage.

He told committee members he would prioritize protecting classroom instruction and supporting teachers with sustained professional development, time to co‑plan, and measures to reduce burnout. He described concrete recruitment ideas including high‑school internships to build a local pipeline, partnerships with nearby universities, and backing certification programs (he named Orton‑Gillingham and Wilson reading as examples). "When the district is there to support them as a…