one hand passes a baton to another hand against a blue sky- Scituate School Committee members discuss and vote to appoint Tom Raab as interim superintendent during Sept. 16 meeting.

The Scituate School Committee voted Sept. 16 to appoint business and finance director Dr. Thomas Raab as interim superintendent.

Scituate School Committee appoints interim superintendent

Board members select business and finance director Dr. Thomas Raab to lead district during transition

Published on:

17 Sep 2025, 2:55 pm

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SCITUATE – The Scituate School Committee has appointed director of business and finance Dr. Thomas Raab as interim superintendent, following the retirement and planned medical leave of Superintendent William Burkhead.

During the committee’s Sept. 16 meeting, members weighed the qualifications of two internal candidates: Dr. Raab and Assistant Superintendent Ryan Lynch. Both were praised as highly qualified, but the committee ultimately determined that Lynch’s ongoing work in curriculum and instruction was too critical to interrupt.

By contrast, members felt that Dr. Raab’s role in overseeing finance and operations could more easily be covered in the short term if needed. His experience leading the district’s school building project was also cited as evidence of his ability to manage complex operational and leadership responsibilities. Several members noted that he had provided steady direction in that effort, particularly as construction moved into a crucial phase.

Committee members emphasized that appointing Dr. Raab would allow Lynch to remain focused on advancing curriculum planning and professional development while ensuring the district had strong leadership in the interim superintendent role.

Dr. Raab became Scituate’s Director of Business and Finance in July 2023 and brings more than 30 years of education experience. He has served as a guidance counselor, principal, business manager, assistant superintendent, and superintendent, including leading school construction and finance projects in Hanover and Stoughton.

Raab holds degrees from the College of the Holy Cross, Seton Hall University, Bridgewater State University, and UMass Lowell, where he earned his doctorate in education. He is also a certified Massachusetts Public Procurement Official.

Dr. Raab will serve in the position beginning Sept. 17 through the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2026. The committee expects to launch a search for a permanent superintendent this winter, with the goal of completing the process by next July.