In an email communication late last week to families of Westwood Public Schools students, Westwood Public Schools (WPS) Superintendent Emily Parks announced her departure from the district after the conclusion of the current school year for the "big change" of becoming Executive Director of The Education Cooperative (TEC).
TEC is a Massachusetts non-profit organization located in East Walpole that, among other things, provides schooling for students with special needs, alternative and vocational skills programs, and includes Westwood as a member district. As TEC's new Executive Director, it appears that Ms. Parks will replace Liz McGonagle who, according to her LinkedIn profile, has held that position for over nine years, since 2013.
In her letter, Superintendent Parks noted that "[w]hile it is a difficult decision to leave Westwood, a community that I cherish, at this stage of my career, I've decided to make a big change, take on a new professional challenge, and make some adjustments that will be good for me and for my family."
Ms. Parks observed that she has worked in the district for 28 years. Her time in the district has included holding the positions of Westwood High School principal, WPS assistant superintendent, and WPS superintendent.
In her most recent years as superintendent, Ms. Parks headed up the WPS school district's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, at first keeping children at home and learning remotely, and then bringing students back to school for learning during the pandemic. She played a key role in shepherding the school district through the process of obtaining Westwood residents' approval for funding a new, consolidated elementary school that combines the current Hanlon School and Deerfield School. She was involved in obtaining a multi-million dollar grant for that project from the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
"The work has been challenging, engaging, and meaningful," wrote Superintendent Parks. "I truly appreciate the ways that families support the District and the sense of partnership that exists between families and school. From the first day of preschool or kindergarten to the final celebration at graduation, I have enjoyed seeing your children learn and grow into remarkable young adults."
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