New Interim Superintendent Announced

On August 17th, 2020 the Watertown Board of Education appointed Dr. John Ramos as Interim Superintendent of Schools effective August 27th, 2020. Dr. Ramos moved to Watertown to serve as its Superintendent in 2002 where he quickly became an integral part of the community and was recognized as a visionary leader and organizational healer. Prior to 2002 he was the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for Norwalk Public Schools and previously the Principal of Norwalk High School. 

Dr. Ramos remained Watertown’s Superintendent until he was appointed the CT Deputy Commissioner of Education in 2004. Since that time Dr. Ramos has served as Superintendent of Schools in Bridgeport,  and the CEO at Middle East International School in Qatar, focusing on the achievement of US accreditation. After 2 years in the Middle East, he returned stateside to serve as Superintendent of the School District of South Orange and Maplewood in New Jersey.  

Dr. Ramos is the founder and President of Equity and Excellence Imperative (EEI), LLC that  provides expertise in elevating organizational development and capacity building, social-emotional support, coaching, cultural transformation and business and community engagement.  His most recent work includes consulting for the CT Association of Boards of Education, the Connecticut Center for School Change, School for Ethical Education, and the American Consortium Center for Training.

Dr. Ramos is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Rhode Island, the Ethics in Education Award from the Connecticut School of Ethical Education, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. International Award from the State of Israel, and the Living Waters Award from the United Church of Christ, Connecticut Conference.

Although his career took him far beyond the boundaries of this town, Dr. Ramos and his wife, Reverend Jacqueline Ramos, never left the Watertown community where they have continued to reside for the past eighteen years. 

Dr. Ramos received his doctorate in Educational Administration from Teachers College at Columbia University where he also served as an adjunct professor; his M.P.A. in Public Administration from the University of Rhode Island and Bachelor’s Degree in English and American Literature from Brown University.

 Dr. Ramos will consult directly with Dr. Harrison for three days prior to assuming the role as Watertown’s Interim Superintendent of Schools on August 27th, 2020.  Dr. Ramos is “humbled by the opportunity to follow the outstanding leadership of Dr. Harrison and am honored to serve our community at this critical time.” 

We look forward to welcoming Dr. Ramos back to the Watertown Public Schools family and we are very grateful for his and the community’s support of our district.

Sincerely,

Leslie Katz Crotty

Chairwoman

Watertown Board of Education