By Adam Swift
Susan Gibbons was formally introduced as the school district’s new Director of Pupil Personnel Services to the school committee at its meeting Monday night.
Gibbons officially began her new job on July 1. She previously worked in the Winthrop schools over a decade ago before working in Saugus and Marblehead and most recently as the coordinator of preschool services in Somerville.
“We’ve maintained some communication with Jen O’Connell (the former director) as needed, she promised to do that for us,” said Superintendent of Schools Lisa Howard. “Speaking from experience, it’s definitely a role that when you step into it you need to have some level of understanding of what happened before you got there. Susan has been great about asking the questions and looking into various things.
“We’ve spent a lot of time together talking about the structure of special education in the Winthrop schools, about the programs we have, about upcoming reviews through the Department of Education, as well as an upcoming review (of special education) to show the state of Massachusetts and the Department of Education that you are doing your due diligence and making sure we are compliant.”
That review will include taking a look at speech and language and occupational therapy, as well as several other services in the district, Howard said.
“(Gibbons) has certainly had to put a lot of time above and beyond what the normal work day would be to start,” said Howard. “That will probably last the whole year, but I have no doubt and full confidence that she will be able to achieve the goals that we have for our department.”
Gibbons said she has already started to build relationships within the schools and is looking at how the district has changed since the last time she worked in Winthrop.
“We’re glad to have you back, and if there is anything we can do as a committee to make the transition any easier, please feel free to ask,” said Town Council President Jim Letterie. “It’s a big job … and I agree with the superintendent, we have a ton of confidence that you are going to hit the ground running.”