EP School Board Sets Up Public Interview of Two Finalists for New Superintendent

New Superintendent of Schools Coming

The East Providence School Committee has set up a public interview for the two finalists for the top education job. The meeting is set for their November 10th meeting at City Hall. The committee normally meets at 7 pm. Superintendent Kim Mercer is scheduled to leave the job on December 30th.

Mercer told the committee during the summer that the time was right to leave now and spend time with family. Mercer spent the first 26 years of her career with Pawtucket, RI schools, finishing as Superintendent for East Providence. "I really liked working with Kim," said former interim City Manager Paul Lemont. "She and I worked close together and she did a good job. I wish her well," Lemont said.

Mercer was a very low key and soft-spoken administrator. Often times she sat back at school committee meetings preferring to let school committee members and others speak out. Although Mercer was mostly praised by colleagues and the general public, her leaving comes at a time of some change for city government. The city council has just hired a new City Manager and consolidation of city and school services is dissolving fast.

The school department also just hired a new Assistant Superintendent to replace Julie Motta who resigned recently. A new principal will be needed at Martin Middle school to replace Dr. Sandy Forand who was named Assistant Superintendent.