UPDATED: Watertown Superintendent Leaving for Newton Dep. Superintendent Position

Updated 4/14/11:

In a letter issued to his colleagues yesterday, Newton Public Schools Superintendent David Fleishman officially announced that Watertown Superintendent Ann Koufman-Frederick will become Newton's Deputy Superintendent for Teaching and Learning. 

"Throughout the search, Ann impressed us with her keen understanding of teaching and learning, her ability to support the needs of a wide range of students and her successful leadership experiences in a range of educational settings," Fleishman said in the letter. "In addition, she has demonstrated a capacity for leadership that is characterized by innovation, collaboration and creativity. Ann is widely respected for her knowledge of instructional technology and her passion for supporting teachers in the classroom."

Koufman earned her B.A. from Harvard University, her M.A. from the University of Ottawa, a certificate of advanced graduate study at Lesley University and her Ph.D. from Boston College.

In addition, Newton North's Math Department Head Cindy Bergan will become the district's Assistant Superintendent for Secondary and Special Programs.

Bergan, who formerly worked as assistant principal at Newton North, was a math teacher at Newton North as well as Day Middle School. She has also worked in the computer software industry, Fleishman said.

Bergan graduated from Wellesley College and earned her Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Fleishman said she has completed graduate course work in math at several universities and earned her principal certification from the EDCO Collaborative.

"Cindy demonstrated a tremendous grasp of both instructional and mangerial leadership," Fleishman said in the letter. "Her well-deserved reputation as a highly respected leader in Newton will enable her to be a major contributor at the district-wide level."

Earlier this year, . His vacant position is not technically being replaced, Fleishman explained, but instead the two new positions were created. 

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Watertown Superintendent Ann Koufman-Frederick announced today she will be leaving the district to become the deputy superintendent of teaching and learning in the Newton Public Schools.

Koufman said she is proud of what has been achieved during her time in Watertown, according a message forwarded to Watertown Patch.

"Dear Watertown colleagues: I am very proud of all we have achieved together over the past five years in Watertown schools," Koufman wrote. "I have treasured your efforts and support in improving our educational programming and it has been a pleasure working with you."

The announcement, which went out to school officials at 5 p.m. Wednesday, comes a day after the School Committee completed a long and difficult budget-making process. with a 2 percent increase, but would still require some job cuts.

The move will occur "early this summer," Koufman wrote.

"I am leaving the Watertown superintendency with mixed feelings because we are in the midst of working towards accomplishing our goals, and this is very important work to us.," she wrote. "Going forward, I know you will persevere towards these goals."

She added that she is looking forward to the challenges of her new position in Newton.

"I will be better able to further my aspirations to provide a 21st century teaching and learning environment for all teachers and students," Koufman wrote.