Pawtucket Appoints Randy A. Buck as Superintendent of Schools

Following a year of transitional leadership and demonstrated progress, the Pawtucket School Committee has unanimously voted to appoint Randy A. Buck as Superintendent of Schools. The vote is said to “reflect the district’s commitment to long-term stability and the All-In vision” of Superintendent Buck’s tenure as Interim Superintendent.

Superintendent Buck has led the district since February 2025, serving first as Acting Superintendent and then as Interim Superintendent beginning in July 2025. Over the past year, he has worked to “rebuild community trust, strengthen district operations, and refocus the Pawtucket School Department on student-centered outcomes”.

Over that same period, the district filled critical vacancies, achieving its lowest vacancy rate in more than three years, and reduced chronic absenteeism to its lowest level since 2021. He has also advanced a focused approach to accelerating student achievement, strengthening Tier 1 instruction, and supporting schools engaged in comprehensive improvement efforts across the district.

His leadership has emphasized high expectations, clear systems, and strong partnership with students, families, staff, and community stakeholders.

“Superintendent Buck has led with integrity, urgency, and heart, and he has shown a clear commitment to working inclusively with our staff, students, and families,” said School Committee Chair Joanne Bonollo. “He faces challenges head-on, and he is focused on elevating education across Pawtucket and raising the bar for what our students deserve.”

A Year of Proven Progress

Since assuming leadership in early 2025, Superintendent Buck has spearheaded several key transformations:

• Instructional Leadership: Leading the Slater Middle School Redesign and relaunching the Slater Community Advisory Board in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Education.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Launching the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council to ensure student voices directly inform district direction and decision-making.

• Operational Stability: Advancing district financial transparency and strengthening district finance and operations to ensure long-term sustainability.

• Culture Building: Strengthening districtwide culture through aligned leadership practices, consistent expectations for schools, ongoing principal coaching, and cross-school collaboration to improve climate, engagement, and learning conditions.

“It has been the honor of my career to serve Pawtucket this past year,” said Superintendent Buck. “While 2025 was about building momentum and stabilizing our foundations, 2026 and beyond will be about excellence. I am fully ‘All In’ for our students, our staff, and this city every day of the year.”

About Randy A. Buck

Before serving as Superintendent of Schools, Superintendent Buck held senior leadership roles within the Pawtucket School Department, including serving as Executive Director of Schools, where he provided direct coaching and support to principals and school leadership teams while strengthening instructional practice across the district. Prior to his work in Pawtucket, he served as Executive Director of Instructional Leadership in the Allentown School District (PA), an urban district serving more than 17,000 students, where he oversaw secondary schools and led high-impact improvement efforts. Superintendent Buck is a career educator focused on instructional clarity and ensuring schools have the resources and support needed to drive student success.

About the Pawtucket School Department

The Pawtucket School Department serves over 8,000 students across 16 schools and one specialized program. The district is committed to providing a rigorous and enriching educational experience that prepares every student for success in a global society. Under the unifying motto, “All In. All Year. All Pawtucket.” the district emphasizes student achievement, belonging, and community partnership.