EAST PROVIDENCE — Hinted at when current office holder Kathryn Crowley announced her impending retirement from the position some six weeks prior, the School Committee at its April 12 meeting formally hired Dr. Sandra Forand as the new superintendent of the district.

While unanimously approving Forand's ascension to the job overseeing the school department's some 800 employees, the committee opted to table a vote on the parameters of her contract until its next meeting in May.

“I want to thank the school committee and the superintendent for their confidence and their support,” Forand said at last week’s meeting. “I realize the enormous responsibility that comes with this position and am ready for the challenge.”

Crowley, who has helmed the department since late fall of 2015, will remain as superintendent through the conclusion of the 2021-22 term in June.

Back in early March of this year, upon stating her intention to depart the job at the end of this calendar year following a transitional phase, Crowley said it was important a new superintendent be in place to help open the 2022-23 school term later this summer.

At the same time, At-Large member and committee president Joel Monteiro suggested the search to find Crowley’s replacement would likely begin and end with one of her top aides, Forand, a city native and 22-year district employee.

The hire was greeted with a positive review from the East Providence Education Association, the union of district teachers.

Bargaining unit president Nick Shattuck issued the following statement, “We would like to congratulate Dr. Sandra Forand on being appointed the next Superintendent of the East Providence Public Schools. We look forward to continuing our collaborative working relationship with the district administration and providing the best education possible for the students of East Providence.”

Forand was actually hired to become an assistant superintendent before even Crowley was brought on board. The former Riverside and Martin Middle School principal was hired in October 2015 to replace former assistant super Julie Motta in the administration of then superintendent Kim Mercer. Mercer, herself, stepped away about two months later upon Crowley’s hire.

In between her stints leading each of the city’s middle schools, Forand worked at the Rhode Island Department of Education for nearly three years between  2012 and 2015.

Forand, who splits the assistant superintendent with Dr. Celeste Bowler, focused much of her attention on the district’s middle and high schools. Bowler’s point of attention was at the early learning and elementary levels.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, Crowley put Forand at the fore of conjuring up the district’s immediate switch to virtual instruction and later the eventual return to buildings first through a hybrid model for the 2020-21 term and back to full in-person attendance at the start of the current term.

“Up until this point in my career I have always tried to make decisions based on what was in the best interest of children, and that will continue to be my focus going forward,” Forand said as well during her remarks last week. “When people ask me about working in East Providence, I always tell them the best part is the amazing people I get to work with each and every day.”

As part of her retirement announcement, Crowley said, “I cannot thank my team and their staff enough for their support and energy. They have made themselves available night, weekends and over the phone in the wee hours of the morning to address any issues needing immediate attention. Dr. Sandra Forand and Dr. Celeste Bowler, my assistant superintendents, my directors: Craig Enos, Tony Feola, Diana Clarkin, Ben Russell, Yanaiza Gallant and Leslie Anderson — the best central office team in the state. Our team of school principals, assistant principals and deans provided leadership needed to make our schools some of the best in Rhode Island.”

Forand concluded her remarks, thanking all of those in the community who have aided her throughout her life and career, especially her family: husband Roger, her two children, parents Vin and Peg Spremulli and her brother.

“I know that Townie Pride is a real thing, but hard to explain,” Forand said. “I am humbled and appreciative of the outpouring of support I have received and I will do my best to meet your expectations every day.

“Thank you again for the opportunity to serve the students, families and staff of East Providence. It is truly an honor and I look forward to working collaboratively to continue the work we’ve started here in the district.”