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Commission

The NEASC Commission on Public Schools (NEASC-CPS) is a panel of 40+ professionals selected to represent our diverse membership from across New England. Individuals on the Commission include school and central office administrators, teachers, and members from the public sector. Commission members are nominated by member school principals or may self-nominate. A nominating subcommittee brings nominations forward for vote by the entire Commission. Any openings on the Commission are made public and announced to the member schools.

Responsibilities:

Using the Standards for Accreditation, the NEASC-CPS Commissioners meet regularly throughout the year to review accreditation reports submitted by and about member schools, and provide commendations and recommendations specific to each school. This feedback serves as a roadmap for individualized and ongoing school growth and improvement for student learning. In addition, Commissioners determine the accreditation status of each member school.

Commissioners serve on one of the NEASC-CPS Committees which are divided in order to focus on the specific needs of:

  • elementary, middle, and high schools (NEASC-CPEMHS)
  • career and technical schools and centers (NEASC-CTCI)

Commissioners

Officers

Sharon Cournoyer
Chair, Commission on Public Schools
Superintendent, Regional District 19, Storrs, CT

Shawn Lambert
Chair, Committee on Career and Technical Institutions
Director, Oxford Hills Technical School, Norway, ME

Committee on Public Elementary, Middle, and High Schools

The NEASC Committee on Elementary, Middle, and High Schools (NEASC-CPEMHS) is a subgroup of the Commission on Public Schools comprised of members drawn from across the six New England states. Formed in the fall of 2019 by merging the Committee on Public Secondary Schools (CPSS) with the Committee on Public Elementary and Middle Schools (CPEMS), the Commission had the goal of increasing the Committee's diversity by adding more teachers, school counselors, library media specialists, and other educational professionals as members. The category of Educational Partners (e.g., representatives of state departments of education, higher education, public members, and members of partner organizations) was also added.

Commissioners may serve a maximum of two consecutive three-year terms on CPEMHS. The chairperson is selected by the Committee for a two-year term.

Current Committee Members:

CONNECTICUT

Christian Canfield
Science Dept. Chair, Newtown High School, Sandy Hook

Jade Gopie
Principal, Waterbury Career Academy High School, Waterbury

Anna Mahon
Principal, Amity Regional Senior High School, Woodbridge

Nicholas J. Spera
Executive Director, ISAAC Board of Directors, New London

Catherine Sosnowski
Retired Assistant Principal, Bristol

Daniel P. Sullivan
Superintendent, Putnam Public Schools, Putnam

MAINE

Dwayne Conway
Principal, Maranacook Community High School

Gretchen McNulty, Director of Learning 
Falmouth School Department

MASSACHUSETTS

Amy Cetner
Principal, Bourne High School

Michael Crowley
Teacher of Engineering & Robotics, Norwood High School

Christopher Lord
Assistant Superintendent, Peabody School District

Gary Maestas
Superintendent, Plymouth Public Schools

Barbara Murray
Public Member, North Dighton

Bruce Pontbriand
Human Capital Coordinator, Accreditation, Boston Public Schools

Andrew Stephens
Principal, Lexington High School

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Todd Allen
Assistant Superintendent, Oyster River Cooperative School District

Susan Bureau
Dean of Academics, Alvirne High School

Susan Schroeter
Principal, Unity Elementary School,

Brett Thompson
English Teacher, Merrimack Valley High School

RHODE ISLAND

Christopher Ashley
Principal, Tiverton High School

Lisa Leaheey
English Teacher, North Providence High School

Kevin McNamara
Assistant Superintendent, Lincoln Public Schools

VERMONT

John Broadley
Assistant Principal, Bellows Falls Union High School

Justin Campbell
Principal, Middlebury Union High School

Ryan Parkman
Math Specialist, Proficiency Based Learning Team, Student Pathways Division Vermont Agency of Education

Committee on Technical and Career Institutions

The NEASC Committee on Career and Technical Institutions (NEASC-CTCI) is a subgroup of the Commission on Public Schools. The Committee consists of faculty and senior administrators from member institutions, as well as representatives of the public who have worked outside education.

Commissioners are selected by the membership and may serve two three-year terms on CTCI. Public members may serve two two-year terms. Commissioners’ perspectives are informed by their own experience and knowledge of education. They are bound by explicit ethical standards to prevent conflict of interest.

Current Committee Members:

CONNECTICUT

Patricia Feeney
Principal, Ella T. Grasso Southeastern Technical High School

Richard Shellman
Principal, Oliver Wolcott Technical High School

MAINE

Shawn Lambert
Chair of the Committee
Assistant Superintendent, Brunswick School Department

MASSACHUSETTS

Kelly Fay
Coordinator of Curriculum & Staff Development, Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School

Justin Kratz
Principal, Charles H. McCann Technical High School

Kevin McCaskill
Executive Director, Madison Park Technical Vocational High School

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Open

RHODE ISLAND

William McCaffrey
Director of Secondary Education, Warwick Public Schools

VERMONT

Eileen Illuzzi
Director, North Country Career Center

William Lucci
Assistant Director for Adult Education, Stafford Technical Career Center

Public Schools

Commission Actions

The Committees of the Commission on Public Schools meet several times a year to review reports by or about member schools to determine the granting of candidacy or continued accreditation.