LAWRENCE — Ralph Carrero has been confirmed as the next superintendent of the Lawrence Public Schools.
Carrero, the director/superintendent of a local city charter school, was selected on May 17 by the Lawrence Alliance for Education, the board overseeing the superintendent search.
His nomination still required confirmation by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
DESE confirmed Carrero’s appointment Friday, pending contract negotiations, wrote Russell Johnston, acting Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, in a letter to the LAE.
The 1400-member Lawrence Teachers Union opposed Carrero’s appointment, saying he’s perceived to be a political ally of Mayor Brian DePena. LTU members also felt he bypassed part of the superintendent search process.
Reached Friday afternoon, Carrero said he was humbled to have his appointment ratified by DESE and acknowledged the new role is “a huge responsibility to make an impact” in Lawrence education.
His immediate focus will be creating broader success for students, teachers and parents and he pointed to his proven track record of improving schools.
When asked directly about any political connection to DePena, Carrero said he applied for the job through an advertisem*nt posted by a consulting firm hired by the state.
Carrero said work must be done with students of all levels before LPS, which has been under state receivership since 2012, can be returned to local control. He said he respects LPS teachers and staff, many of whom have been with the district for years and endured a variety of challenges.
The LAE is an oversight board in place while LPS is in state receivership.
A superintendent must be in place for Lawrence Public Schools to be returned to local control.
DePena and fellow LAE members Maria Moeller, Juana Matias, Dolores Calaf, and Arlene Garcia voted for Carrero as LPS superintendent.
Patricia Mariano, LAE chairperson and a veteran LPS educator, did not vote for Carrero, along with LAE member Edgar Deleon.
“While I did not vote for the new superintendent, I respect and support Commissioner Johnston’s decision in ratifying the LAE Board vote. I am committed to working together with Mr. Carerro to advance the district’s educational goals,” Mariano said in a statement released on Friday.
“I am confident that our shared dedication to student success will foster a productive and positive environment for our students, teachers, and staff.”
The teacher’s union also issued a statement saying the “least qualified, politically connected candidate” was chosen for the job.
The state allowed the LAE to put DePena’s “political ally and donor in a critical position, bypassing candidates with proper credentials and community support,” according to the joint statement by LTU President Kim Barry and Jessica Tang, president of the American Federation of Teachers — Massachusetts.
“We are extremely disappointed with Acting Commissioner Johnston’s decision to allow a political ally of the Mayor to serve as the next Superintendent of Lawrence over three highly qualified candidates who have the skills, experience, and community ties necessary for this critical role,” the statement read.
“Lawrence deserves a superintendent who is ready to take our children and schools to new heights and has the proven ability to work collaboratively with educators at this critical time in the city’s schools. Sadly, that’s not what they’re getting.”
The union went on to claim that the LAE and Johnston ignored months of work by the search committee, a community process that included input from families and residents, in-depth candidate surveys, and feedback from professional educators, administrators, and staff.
“Instead of providing our students, educators, and schools with the most qualified candidate, they’re taking Lawrence back to the bad old days when political connections were the most important qualification at City Hall and the School Department. Regardless of this decision, Lawrence educators will continue to work with community stakeholders to ensure students and families receive the education and support they need and deserve,” according to the union statement.
Dr. Alma Gonzalez de Castillo and Ligia Noriega-Murphy were also finalists. Another finalist, Dr. Timothy Sippel, had withdrawn his application after becoming a superintendent candidate in Malden, Mass.
Juan Rodriguez has served as acting superintendent since Cynthia Paris resigned in January 2023. Her 2022 salary was $248,700.
The search for the superintendent has been underway for six months. The Alma Group consulting agency was hired to conduct surveys and interviews and compile data on candidates.
Carrero is the director/superintendent of the Lawrence Family Development Charter School and Education Fund and the Lawrence Family Development Charter School in Lawrence.
The school provides a dual language educational development program to 860 students in grades K-8. The organization has a deep commitment to the development of youth leadership, new immigrants, and adult educational and training programs.
Carrero served as an education administrator for 18 years at the Greater Lawrence Technical High School, where he was coordinator of student services. His professional career spans close to 40 years, providing services in counseling, social work, criminal justice, and education to residents in Lawrence.
Follow staff reporter Jill Harmacinski on Twitter/X @EagleTribJill.
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