Third high-level Providence schools administrator departs district in 3 months

Amy Russo, The Providence Journal
·2 min read

Providence Public School District Superintendent Javier Montañez is losing another member of his Cabinet.

Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools James Boyd is the latest staffer to resign, planning his departure in mid-March to take a job as superintendent of KIPP Delta Public Schools in Blytheville, Arkansas.

Montañez made the announcement in a letter sent to staff on Tuesday, reflecting on Boyd's more than two years in the district, which he joined as executive director of middle schools before moving to his current role.

"He has been responsible for driving educational excellence across all secondary schools in PPSD and worked to establish a clear vision and strategic direction for instructional leadership, school culture and school improvement," Montañez said.

Montañez said the role of the assistant superintendent of secondary schools would be shared on the district's website soon.

More:Anonymous letters, allegations and resignations: What you need to know about PPSD turmoil

Two other high level administrators have left since November

Boyd's departure comes just two months after Chief Academic Officer Evonne Alvarez left the district to become superintendent of Lynn Public Schools in Massachusetts. The month before that, in November 2022, Executive Director of School Improvement Cory McCarthy left.

Meanwhil,e Montañez has been out on medical leave since late November. At that time, he said he planned to be out for at least a week, but has remained absent from School Board meetings. PPSD Chief of Staff Scott Sutherland has filled in for him.

More:PPSD Supt. Montañez responds to calls for toxic workplace investigation. What he said.

Repeated shake-ups within PPSD leadership have occurred amid frustration within the workplace that spilled out into public view last year in the form of a letter purportedly from "eight district-level leaders" alleging a toxic work environment. Shortly before going on leave, Montañez voiced frustrations in a School Board meeting that the criticisms were made public.

The Providence Journal has requested further comment from the district on the staff departures and awaits a reply.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: PPSD's assistant superintendent of secondary schools departs