Revere superintendent announces retirement after 32 years; committee to form search subcommittee

Superintendent Dr. Kelly announced to the Revere School Committee on July 21 that she plans to retire about one year from now after 32 years working in the district, including years as superintendent. "I'm going to be retiring at roughly this time. Actually, at this time next year, I'll already be retired," Dr. Kelly said as she read her public communication to the committee.

Committee members responded with praise and gratitude for Dr. Kelly's tenure and for her role in long-running projects, including the new high school. Mayor Patrick Keefer said the committee would spend the coming year acknowledging her service and preparing for the transition. Members discussed next steps for a formal superintendent search: forming a four-member search subcommittee that will include staff and community participation and ensuring the search is open to any qualified applicants. Committee member Monterosso volunteered to draft a letter to the delegation and emphasized the need to plan the search process thoroughly.

Dr. Kelly said the district will involve students, teachers, administrators and union leaders in the search process via focus groups and interviews and that any assistant superintendent interested in the permanent position would be able to apply. "We will come together really, really quickly to formulate what the expectations are," Mayor Keefer said, describing plans to prepare a candidate "package" and selection criteria. The committee agreed the subcommittee should be careful not to create quorum issues and to provide opportunities for broader feedback from the school community.

The announcement concluded with committee members offering public thanks and personal recollections of working with Dr. Kelly. The committee did not record any formal action on the retirement in the provided transcript excerpt beyond agreeing to begin planning the search and to form a subcommittee.