The School Committee voted 5 to 0 to offer the position to Gazda, the principal of Gateway Regional Middle School in Huntington and Chester Elementary School.
Todd GazdaLUDLOW – The School Committee Wednesday night voted 5 to 0 to offer Todd H. Gazda the school superintendent position.
Gazda is the principal of Gateway Regional Middle School in Huntington and Chester Elementary School.
School Committee Chairman Michael Kelliher called Gazda and offered him the position, and Gazda accepted. A contract is still to be negotiated.
The School Committee interviewed two finalists for the position – Gazda and Diana Roy, a longtime English teacher at Baird Middle School and curriculum director for the Ludlow public schools. All five School Committee members said both candidates were qualified for the job.
School Committee member Charles Mullin said Roy is respectful of teachers and keeps a level-headed demeanor, but he said Gazda has more administrative experience and is “a forward thinker.”
School Committee member Jacob Oliveira called Gazda “inspiring” and “visionary.”
“We had two wonderful candidates,” School Committee member Patricia Gregoire said. She added, “People here are looking for a leader.”
Gazda said his school district has some cutting edge technology. He said 6-year-olds can learn to use iPads without being taught.
“There are many educational applications for iPads,” he said.
Gazda said he has used teachers who are advanced in using technology to give professional development sessions to their fellow teachers.
“Teachers will listen to their colleagues,” he said.
In the last few years, Gazda said classes at Gateway Regional Middle School have grown to 26, 27 and 28 students as budget cuts had to be made.
“This year I recommended that my position be eliminated” so as not to cut more classroom teachers, Gazda said. He said his position will be eliminated next year, following his recommendation. Another principal will oversee his schools, he said.
When Kelliher called to offer him the Ludlow superintendent job, he told him, “You’re no longer unemployed.”
The Ludlow school superintendent position was advertised to pay between $130,000 and $150,000, with negotiable benefits and a three-year contract.
