Scituate Public Schools recently welcomed a new interim superintendent, Dr. Thomas Raab, who brings with him decades of experience and a deep commitment to supporting students and staff. A familiar face to many in the district, Dr. Raab steps into this leadership role with a strong understanding of Scituate’s community and a passion for helping every student succeed from kindergarten through graduation.
Growing up in Rockville Center on Long Island, Dr. Raab graduated from Chaminade High School in 1986 before attending the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he majored in history. Though his degree wasn’t directly tied to education, he said it sparked a lifelong love of learning that eventually led him to a career in schools.
Raab’s professional journey in education began in the 1990s as a counselor at Marshfield High School. Over time, his leadership grew: He served as assistant principal at Norwood High School and then principal at Hanover High School, before becoming the superintendent in Stoughton. Most recently, he served as business manager for Scituate Public Schools, giving him an inside look at the district’s operations before stepping into his current role as interim superintendent.
When former superintendent William Burkhead retired this fall, an experienced leader was needed to guide the district for at least the current school year. Dr. Raab was selected for the interim superintendent role. Because he is only contracted for this year, the decision whether he will remain as superintendent beyond June is still open.
Dr. Raab and his family have strong ties to the South Shore community. He lived in Weymouth for several years before moving to Hanover in 2010, where he lives today. He’s also been a regular at Scituate school sports events, often cheering on his daughter during her basketball and volleyball games when she was a high school student. Outside of work, he enjoys gardening, reading, and listening to classical music–a surprising shift from the country music he grew up loving. He is also looking forward to becoming a grandfather for the first time this December.
Throughout his career, Dr. Raab has prioritized being present in schools, maintaining open communication with the staff and students, and building trust within the community. He emphasized that one of his main goals stepping into the role isn’t to implement dramatic changes, but to ensure that all the good work already happening in Scituate continues.
As superintendent, Raab works closely with educators and community members to ensure students receive a consistent, high-quality education across all schools. His responsibilities span overseeing the curriculum, managing budgets, facilities, and district-wide initiatives. Already, he has helped guide several major projects, including the Hatherly-Cushing construction project, a new elementary school that broke ground on October 6, 2025. He’s also overseeing the Scituate High School facility upgrades, including gym renovations and the installation of new second-floor air conditioning, which is expected to be completed within the next few years.
With decades of leadership experience and a strong connection to Scituate’s community, Dr. Raab hopes to provide a thoughtful and continued focus on what matters most: supporting every student’s journey from their first day of school to graduation.