On Monday, March 7, the Ashland School Committee voted 5-0 to appoint Brittany Smeltekop as the district’s new director of student services, pending contract negotiations. Smeltekop will take over for Kathy Silva, who is retiring after 11 years with Ashland Public Schools.

“We are very pleased to name Ms. Smeltekop as the next director of student services,” said Ashland School Committee Chair Laurie Tosti. “The feedback from the community, staff and administrator meetings was universally positive, and after our committee met with her, we agreed that she is the best pick for our district,” Tosti said.

The director of student services reports to the superintendent and oversees the district’s special education services and procedures. Currently, approximately 17% of APS students receive special education services.

For the past two years, Smeltekop, a licensed special education administrator for all levels, has worked with special education students as the team chairperson for Ashland Public Schools. Previously, she served as an assistant principal for Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District.

The selection of Smeltekop is the result of a months-long search process that produced various applicants from numerous states, three of whom were selected as finalists. She will begin her new role in July 2022.

ABOUT ASHLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Ashland Public Schools is a forward-thinking district located in Ashland, Mass., serving nearly 3,000 pre-K through grade 12 students in five schools. For news, updates and announcements, follow Ashland Public Schools (@AshlandClockers) on Twitter.