ERVING – The Erving School Union 28 district is starting the school year with Shannon White-Cleveland as the new superintendent for K-6 students across New Salem, Wendell, Erving, Leverett and Shutesbury.

White-Cleveland has around 30 years of experience with students from pre-K to high school. with her most recent role as the former Athol Community Elementary School principal for six years. White-Cleveland started her tenure in July following the departure of former Superintendent Jennifer Culkeen.

“It’s been very welcoming and [families are] really focused on sharing what’s really wonderful about their schools and what’s working well,” White-Cleveland said of her first few weeks within the district.

The prior superintendent administration faced difficulties that White-Cleveland is privy to. She explained that much of of her time has been spent getting to know the district and listening to families’ concerns from prior experiences with the district.

“Certainly, there have been some frank conversations about concerns, things that they would like a little bit more clarity on, or firmed-up procedures,” she said.

In previous school years, issues with staff and administrators taking leaves of absence or resigning have created issues within the district that were expressed during School Committee meetings in union schools. As she starts her time at Union 28, White-Cleveland plans to be a listener to families, students and community members she represents to start off the year on a solid footing.

“I’m going to be focused on my entry plan of getting a chance to have almost like a ‘listening tour,’ where I can talk with all the stakeholders, listen to what their visions are, what they’re excited about and proud about, and things that they want to see,” White-Cleveland said. She adds that the stakeholders within the union all bring valuable input.

Part of White-Cleveland’s transition plan has included attending School Committee and town meetings so she would have an idea of what to expect. As a union school district, White-Cleveland represents staff and students whom she feels makes each school unique.

While making a point to respect the individual schools’ autonomy, she wants to use her role to maintain a collaborative atmosphere.

“That is something that the community, teachers and and families are very clear that… although they want the collaboration that goes with being able to work with colleagues and learn from colleagues in other schools, having the opportunity to have some autonomy and to have that school reflect their communities is important to them,” White-Cleveland said.

Although she is new to the district, White-Cleveland is a native to the area and lives in Athol. She earned her liberal arts degree with a minor in education from Worcester State University and her masters in education. 

“I think it’s wonderful to spend time talking about things, but really being able to see it in action. I’ve had the opportunity to learn about a lot of great things that the schools are proud of,” White-Cleveland said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing it in action.”

As White-Cleveland joins the union as superintendent, Leverett Elementary School will have Siby Adina joining the school as the new principal, and Anne Magill Diaz joined Shutesbury Elementary School in June as the new principal. All students started the school year on Aug. 28.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.