Superintendent's Update – May 4, 2026

Dear Shrewsbury Families, Colleagues, & Community Members,

I hope you are enjoying this more seasonable spring weather!  Our schools have moved into our busiest time of the year, and our students continue to thrive in the classroom and in their co-curricular activities.  Please note the following updates regarding celebrating our staff; national recognition of our music program; next year's budget; my annual evaluation; recognition of longtime School Committee member Ms. Sandra Fryc; and tomorrow's Annual Town Election.

1) Celebrating our staff: This is the time of year for recognizing the skillful efforts of our staff.  This past Friday was both School Lunch Hero Day, which recognizes our outstanding Food Service workers, as well as National Principals Day, celebrating our dedicated school leaders. This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week, tomorrow is Teacher Appreciation Day, and Wednesday is School Nurse Appreciation Day.  Please join me in thanking all of these valued staff groups for all that they do to serve our students, families, and colleagues and make our schools highly successful!

2) National recognition for our music program: Last week we received the news that for the third year in a row Shrewsbury has been named a "Best Community for Music Education" by the National Association for Music Merchants.  The award recognizes K-12 communities nationwide for excellence in providing access to high-quality music education.  Congratulations to all of our music educators in our Performing Arts Department for this honor!

3) Fiscal Year 2027 Budget update:  Last week the School Committee unanimously recommended an updated School Department budget recommendation for consideration at the Annual Town Meeting.  Unlike so many Massachusetts communities who are cutting educational programs and staff––including some who struggle economically and some who are wealthy–– in Shrewsbury we continue to have fiscal stability thanks to the voters' support of the 2021 Operational Override.  Next year's budget will provide the same level of services to our students and will not have any staff layoffs.  In order to cope with inflation in some areas of the budget, we are reducing some positions through attrition in areas where we can do so without negatively affecting our program.  You can see the budget presentation slides here for more details and watch the presentation here.  

4) My evaluation:  Last week the School Committee conducted my annual evaluation (for the last time, given my upcoming retirement).  You can find the evaluation document here and view the evaluation at the meeting here.  I appreciate their review of my performance, with the recognition that credit for our school district's successes is due to the support of so many including the School Committee; our educators, staff, and leadership team; our families; our community members; and, most importantly, our students.

5) Recognition of Ms. Sandra Fryc:  Past and present School Committee members celebrated Ms. Fryc at her final School Committee meeting after having served for 18 years over six consecutive terms, including serving as Chair for six years and playing a key role in building support for the district's financial stability and for building two new schools, Sherwood Middle School and Maj. Howard W. Beal School.  After remarks of appreciation and gratitude, the School Committee recognized Ms. Fryc's extraordinary service to our town by voting to name the vegetable garden at the Maj. Howard W. Beal School the Sandra Fryc Garden.  Click here to see the text of the dedication.

6) Please vote in the Annual Town Election tomorrow, Tuesday, May 4:  Tomorrow is our Annual Town Election, where residents will cast votes regarding who will serve on the Select Board, School Committee, Trustees of the Public Library, and as Town Meeting Representatives.  If you are eligible to vote, please exercise the right that so many in our nation's history made sacrifices to protect. The polls are open from 7am to 8pm tomorrow: Click here for polling places, a sample ballot and other election information on the Town Clerk's website.  

Thank you for your continued support of our public schools.

Respectfully,

Joe Sawyer
Superintendent of Schools