My first thought when I saw Tom’s text (with news that he was leaving) was, thank goodness we have Liz.”

Isabelle Kelly, Portsmouth School Committee

PORTSMOUTH — That didn’t take long.

Just nine days after School Superintendent Thomas Kenworthy was tapped to be the new superintendent in his hometown of East Greenwich, the Portsmouth School Committee has chosen his successor: His right-hand lady, Deputy Superintendent Elizabeth Viveiros. 

The decision was unanimous during Thursday night’s specially scheduled School Committee meeting in the high school library, with members heaping praise on both administrators — the one who’s leaving the district and the other who will lead it forward. Viveiros and Kenworthy will both start their new jobs on Aug. 12.

An outside search was never really on the table. 

“Dr. Viveiros has in her contract the opportunity to have the initial discussion with the School Committee should the vacancy of superintendent arise, which it obviously just did,” said Emily Copeland, committed chair, after the board voted unanimously to accept Kenworthy’s resignation with regret while also waving the customary 90-day notice that he was leaving.

The results probably would have been the same anyway, Copeland said.

“With the school year starting in six short weeks, I do not believe that even if had we spent thousands of dollars and an unknown amount of time on a national search, that the outcome would have been any different. I truly feel we have the best candidate to lead the Portsmouth school district sitting right here in front of us,” she said.

Indeed, every board member spoke in glowing terms about Viveiros, who’s been with the district since 2012. She was the principal at Melville Elementary School before being appointed deputy superintendent in 2020. 

“My first thought when I saw Tom’s text (with news that he was leaving) was, thank goodness we have Liz,” said committee member Isabelle Kelly. 

‘Ready to lead’

Fellow member Karen McDaid agreed. “I’m really struck this evening by how fortunate we are in this district,” she said. “One of the most important things about Dr. Kenworthy’s legacy is that he leaves us with this incredible leadership team and you are the shining example of that, the leader of that, the innovator, the visionary. I’m so looking forward to seeing where you take our district.”

Another board member, Emily Skeehan, said Viveiros always strives for excellence and her communication skills, work ethic and leadership drive are outstanding. “I know every single stakeholder knows you’re ready to lead this district,” she said.

Copeland said under Viveiros’s leadership, “the Portsmouth school district has not only improved outcomes for students, but has also become a place where educators feel empowered and supported.”

Viveiros also played a major role in expanding career and technical education offerings and has been instrumental in writing and supporting grant applications that have brought in $5 to $6 million to the district.

Viveiros said she was grateful for the opportunity and for the committee’s trust. 

“Portsmouth has truly shaped me as a leader,” she said. “It’s been a privilege to grow within this district and to work alongside so many passionate and dedicated professionals. I care deeply about our students, our staff, and our families. And I believe in the power of this community. I am fully committed to continuing our journey towards excellence.”

Goodbyes to Kenworthy

Before hiring Viveiros, committee members bid a touching farewell to Kenworthy, whose last day in Portsmouth is Aug. 11.

“I was thinking about the first six months of your tenure as superintendent. You started in February of 2020 and had an interesting first year, to say the least. You really had a trial by fire at the beginning,” said McDaid, referring to the outbreak of Covid that closed schools that March. 

“Your leadership in the district has been so important to the success of the district and through that time I’ve enjoyed working with you very much and really appreciated the way you lead with great integrity and just with great concern and caring for everyone throughout the district — the students and staff as well.”

Vice Chairman Fred Faerber III said Kenworthy has been a “super superintendent.” 

“It’s been a delight working with you. You and the whole administrative team have been responsible for some great accomplishments here, academically, athletically. It’s just been a great 10 years, I think,” he said.

Copeland, who got emotional at times during her remarks, said Kenworthy’s greatest legacy is the excellent leadership team he built in Portsmouth — one of the reasons why Viveiros will now be taking over as superintendent. 

“You have personally hired most of our district leadership team, including principals at Melville, PHS and PMS, our special ed director, student services director, our HR director, and our current facilities manager. Of course one of your first appointments — by Zoom — was Dr. Elizabeth Viveiros (as deputy superintendent),” Copeland said. 

“You have not left us in a crisis. It is a credit to your leadership and character that everyone would be happy if you stayed, as we’re grateful for your hard work and dedication over the past few years. And yet, we still wish you the very best in your next position as superintendent of your hometown of East Greenwich.”

Noting that Kenworthy served with the U.S. Marines, she said, “Once a Marine, you’re never an ex-Marine. I hope the same will be true for you with Portsmouth. You’ll always be a positive part of us and hopefully we’ll be a part of you.”

Emotional goodbye

Kenworthy himself got choked up when, during his farewell remarks to the committee, he gave special thanks to three people in the school district.

The first was Christopher DiIuro, who he called not only an outstanding school finance director but noted he was a member of the screening committee who pushed hard for his appointment “even though I did not have central office experience,” which the committee said would be a priority. 

Next was Heather Rhodes Khubchandani, assistant to the superintendent and the School Committee.

“There’s nothing I could say that could capture what you have meant to me,” Kenworthy said, his voice breaking.

Rhodes Khubchandani lightened the mood a bit by responding, “You inherited me,” which was met with laughter.

Kenworthy continued: “You’ve been by my side since day one. You’ve known what I needed often times before I have, and you’ve always had my back.” He never doubted her for one moment, he said, and told her she was “a blessing that I’ve never taken for granted.”

Lastly, he heaped praise on his successor, Viveiros, who he called “the easiest hire I’ve ever made.”

“Your work ethic is matched only by your drive and dedication to what is in the best interests of students,” he said. “You’ve been instrumental in every success we’ve had in the past five years.”

Kenworthy also thanked the School Committee, Town Administrator Richard Rainer, Jr., staff members, teachers, administrators, and his family, most of which attended the meeting.

Next meeting

The committee will next meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26, most likely at Town Hall.