NAHANT — Robert Liebow, the town’s new superintendent of schools, took part in his first School Committee meeting Tuesday night.
Liebow was unanimously appointed by the committee in April and officially assumed the role on July 1, succeeding Tony Pierantozzi.
“It’s got a great feel,” Liebow said about the district. “The word ‘magical’ is befitting.”
Liebow revealed his S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timed) goals for Johnson Elementary School in the upcoming school year. They were separated into three categories of professional practice, student learning, and district improvement.
Committee member Beth Anderson praised Liebow for his inclusion of one professional-practice goal, which centered around gauging the district’s success in preparing students to attend school in Swampscott once they graduate from Johnson School. Liebow plans to meet with students who live in Nahant and attend school in Swampscott to get their feedback on what the transition was like. The goal also includes a meeting between Liebow and Swampscott Superintendent of Schools Pamela Angelakis to discuss how their two curriculums integrate with each other.
Another notable goal of Liebow’s was to evaluate the school’s All Hazards Plan with the Police and Fire departments, and make any necessary updates. Liebow emphasized that it is important for the town to be prepared in the current climate of school shootings.
“Where you are geographically, it’s not quite so easy to get here necessarily from the mainland, and time is important,” Liebow said. “So I want to make sure that emergency services in the school are on the same page and that the staff is well-prepared and knows what the procedures are.”
Liebow graduated from the University of San Diego with a bachelor’s degree in biology. His career in education began in Maine, where he eventually served as superintendent of the Mount Desert Island Regional School System. He spent time as the superintendent for the district of Rockport, where he formed a professional relationship with Angelakis.
