BOE Appoints Scott Sugarman Superintendent of Schools

The Stafford Board of Education’s second round of searching for a new Superintendent of Schools seems more fruitful. At the Monday, April 7, 2025 meeting, they voted unanimously to appoint Scott Sugarman, currently serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Plainfield Public Schools. His contract with Stafford will begin on July 1, 2025.

Scott Sugarman at the April 7, 2025 BOE meeting.

Sugarman was at the meeting and made a brief statement. He said his conversations with the BOE and hiring committee helped him "understand who Stafford was.” He added, “I truly believe that every great community begins with its schools.” He also thanked Dr. Laura Norbut for her work as the Interim Superintendent, and said that he could tell she had been an asset to the community.

Sugarman’s history as the director of pupil services in Thompson is noteworthy. Pupil Services departments oversee everything from special education to psychology, speech and language pathology, attendance, and social and emotional learning. If you’ve been paying attention over the past couple of years, you know that not only are these areas cost drivers for Stafford Public Schools, but they often have trouble finding people to fill positions such as school psychologists. This experience will, hopefully, prove valuable as Stafford seeks to control special education costs. 

According to his LinkedIn profile, “Since college I have been committed to and passionate about being in service to underserved, disadvantaged populations while exposing myself to far off lands and diverse cultures, in order to both expand my knowledge and perspective and test my ability to perform effectively. This commitment is clearly demonstrated by my Peace Corps service in Kenya, teaching English in Thailand, teaching Hawaiian natives in Ewa Beach Hawaii for Teach for America, and in my school leadership positions in Washington D.C. through New Leaders for New Schools. I consider it a privilege to have been given the opportunity to work directly with scores of diverse young people; helping in various ways to improve their lives and prospects for success.”

To see Sugarman in action, check out this webinar recording on the Science of Reading implementation process.