Sutton’s New Superintendent

Near the end of last year, Sutton Schools Superintendent, Dr. Roberts-Morandi, went on medical leave. Needing an interim superintendent, the school committee asked Caitlin Paget to fill that role. This February 3, they offered her the full time position, and she accepted it.

Now that she is in office, she wanted a chance to connect with the community, for people to know a little bit more about her policies, values, and life.

1. How long have you worked in education? And where?

I started working in education in 2008 after I graduated from Providence College with a focus in elementary and special education. My first job was in the Hanover Public Schools. I was a preschool teacher for students with and without disabilities. During this time I worked with families while their students transitioned from early intervention into the public school setting. After two years in preschool I transitioned into the role of a second grade teacher in an inclusion classroom. After spending 3 years in Hanover I moved onto the Brookline Public Schools. I worked in the Brookline Public Schools up until I started in Sutton in the summer of 2023. While in Brookline I served in a variety of capacities including: K-5 special education teacher, grade 2 teacher, grade 4 teacher, literacy coach, and interim vice principal.

2. What made you want to come to work at Sutton?

In the summer of 2021, my family moved from South Boston to Grafton. Over the next two years, I realized that the daily commute from Grafton to Brookline was not best for me or my family. When I started applying for jobs in and around the Blackstone Valley, I was told by numerous people to apply for the position in Sutton because it is such a great community. During the interview process I quickly came to realize how amazing the students, staff, and community were and knew it would be a good fit for my family and I. Over the past 18 months we have seen firsthand the experiences available in Sutton and continue to attend as many events as possible. My kids favorite event is Trunk or Treat and they talk about it often!

3. What made you become an educator?

I have always loved working with kids and spent my teen and college years babysitting and running a summer program for the town of Hingham. Initially, I was on a pre-med track in college and had aspirations of being a pediatrician. However, after my freshman year, I realized I didn’t want to go that route but instead wanted to be a teacher. As my teaching career advanced, my aspirations evolved and became more focused, ultimately guiding me toward leadership and administrative roles.

4. What are some values that foster and strengthen a positive environment?

During our opening day presentation with staff I committed to fostering an environment that is transparent, stable, and consistent. Below is a detailed overview of how I defined these values when speaking with staff on opening day:

• Valuing consistency means providing a steady and reliable environment for our students, staff, and families. The decisions we make and the policies we implement need to align with our core commitments. Students, staff and families need to know what to expect and can count on us to stay true to our goals. I believe that by remaining consistent in our goals and strategies, we create a framework for increased student success.
• Valuing stability is equally important. SPS students and staff deserve a secure and supportive environment where change is managed thoughtfully and intentionally. Stability doesn’t mean we’re not changing; it means we’re managing changes carefully and with a clear plan. It means guiding change with a clear vision and purpose. It means building resilience and maintaining trust even as we navigate new challenges and opportunities.
• Finally, I want transparency to be our guiding principle in how we operate. We need to be committed to open communication and honest dialogue. By being transparent, we build trust and ensure that everyone has a clear understanding of our goals, decisions, and processes. Clear communication helps us build trust.

5. What are some goals you have for the next few years at Sutton?

I have many goals for the next few years in Sutton, many which involve streamlining our processes and procedures. Our district leadership team will create a comprehensive three-year strategic plan next year, focused on prioritizing the educational experiences that students, staff, and the community envision for Sutton Public Schools. My overall goal is to move forward together—not just as a district, but as a community dedicated to the students and families of Sutton. By working together we will be able to drive student success, strengthen our community ties, and enhance family engagement. As we move forward, I believe it is essential to recognize that while past practices have shaped SPS to how we function today, they are not always the best practices for moving forward. To drive student success and enhance community and family engagement, we must be willing to question and change our approaches. Progress requires us to be open to new ideas and to continuously evaluate and improve upon the great stuff we already do. We need to stay flexible and be willing to try new approaches to make sure we’re doing what’s best for our students and community. For me, this means being proactive in seeking out innovative strategies, embracing research-based practices, and listening to the needs and feedback of our community. It’s about being adaptable and responsive, ensuring that our practices evolve to meet our ever-changing student population.

6. Do you have a plan to bridge the budget gap? If so, what can you disclose?

Since December, school committee meetings have focused on the estimated budget gap our school system is facing for FY26. When making a budget our primary consideration is how to best meet the needs of all our students PreK – 12 while making sure to address new requirements, needs, and mandates. Additionally, when constructing a budget, financial implications and contractual obligations must be taken into account. We do not just look at the upcoming fiscal year but always look at the sustainability of our decisions. We have a budgetary gap for many reasons. Some of those reasons include: contractual obligations, out-of-district tuition, cost of services and materials, and the addition of new FTEs (full time employees). A fiscal cliff was identified many years ago and the school department is continuing to make the best attempts at ensuring continued financial stability with the funds made available.

At the school committee meeting on March 3, 2025, it was decided that the current budget gap would be addressed by utilizing funds from our School Choice Revolving Account. However, it is important to note that this decision will reduce the balance of that account, and there is no guarantee that the funds will be replenished annually. Over time, the balance in the School Choice account could potentially be depleted.

7. What should we, as a town, do to fix the problems of the budgeting process?

Crafting a proposed budget for the School Committee’s review involves input from multiple stakeholders including administration, staff, and the community. I do not believe we have a problem with the budgeting process. Rather, I think the federal government, state, and town need to determine what they value, what their educational priorities are, and how funding is then going to reflect those values and priorities. Once that determination is made the town and school department need to work together to secure appropriate funding for the district. It is crucial for the town and school department to be on the same page and craft this long term plan together. We cannot act impulsively and put forth a short term fix.

8. Any other information you would like the public to know about you or your work?

My most important job is being mom to Olivia (age 7) and Eddie (age 3). When I am not working I spend the majority of time with my husband (Brendan), Liv, and Eddie at our lake house in Bridgton, Maine. Our summers are spent swimming at the lake while our winters are spent skiing at Pleasant Mountain. I am also a huge fan of the Patriots and my family has had season tickets (on the 50 yard line, 17th row) for over 40 years.

(Editor’s note: this interview was edited merely for space–no meaning was altered)