AMESBURY — New Amesbury Public Schools Superintendent Stephen Zadravec has hit the ground running during his first few weeks on the job.
Zadravec, who most recently served as superintendent of School Administrative Unit 50 in Greenland, New Hampshire, officially made the transition to Amesbury on July 1.
The longtime educator was tapped as the district’s top dog in February after a monthslong search that was launched after former Superintendent Elizabeth McAndrews announced her retirement.
Before this search, Zadravec was a finalist for the position in 2021 but McAndrews was ultimately selected. The superintendent said what drew him to the district during the first search was the city’s strong sense of community.
“One of the things five years ago when I was just exploring other opportunities, the thing that stuck with me about Amesbury was the people, was the relationships. More than one person has told me this is a city with a small-town feel, it’s neighbor helping neighbor, and that spills over to the school and the culture that it creates and the way students are supported,” he said.
So years later when he saw the position listed again, Zadravec said he knew he was going to apply.
“When the position came open again with Elizabeth’s retirement, that was an opportunity. I wasn’t actually thinking of moving, I was actually very comfortable in SAU 50 and I’d only been there four years, which for me is a short stint. But I really couldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore this again,” he said.
Now that Zadravec has officially taken the job, Mayor Kassandra Gove said he has jumped in head first.
“I’ve been meeting with him regularly along with other School Committee members,” she said of Zadravec. “He’s wasted no time meeting with stakeholders, participating in goal setting and policy review, and preparing for the year ahead. We’re thrilled to have him and look forward to working together to celebrate and support Amesbury students, faculty and staff.”
For Zadravec, a portion of his first few weeks have consisted of connecting with community members.
To do so, he asked for the names of residents he should speak with to get to know Amesbury better. Zadravec was given a list of 30 to 40 names he has been working his way through.
“I’ve been doing these small-entry conversations with community folks, staff folks, parents, city folks and just trying to really understand what people perceive as the great strengths in Amesbury, what are the things that they’re most proud of,” he said.
“And it’s been just amazing because I’ve gotten so much information and feedback already, as well as what are some of our opportunities ahead? And what are the things they really would hope to see me doing as a superintendent?” he said.
While Zadravec said he has been enjoying each conversation, he is most looking forward to students returning to school Sept. 2.
“The best part of my day as superintendent is getting to see our teachers in action and our students in action in the work of learning,” he said. “And so, I look forward to just getting the schools up and buzzing, and I’ve already gotten a really great feel for people’s excitement to really build a collaborative team,” he said.
Mainly, Zadravec said he is glad to be in Amesbury and ready for what the future holds.
“Education is part of my DNA, and I’m really excited to be in a place with so much potential, and excited to see where we can take it,” he said.