The Board of Directors of the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) in Northampton has named Todd H. Gazda, Ed.D., J.D., as the new Executive Director of the Massachusetts collaborative. Dr. Gazda will join the agency effective July 1, 2021, succeeding William Diehl, who retired from the post in December of 2020 after serving 10 years with the agency.
The Board’s Executive Director Search Committee made its selection after a nationwide search and a thorough review of over 80 applicants.
“After a thoughtful, methodical and inclusive search to fill the position of Executive Director for the Collaborative for Educational Services, the board is pleased to announce Dr.Todd Gazda’s selection to lead the agency,” said CES Board Chair Dan Hayes. “Todd is currently the Superintendent of schools for the Ludlow School District and comes with a variety of skill sets, experiences and a great deal of enthusiasm. I also want to express my deep appreciation to all who were involved in this process; board members, community members, staff, and superintendents. Such a wide variety of stakeholders throughout the process, coupled with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, resulted in very strong finalists. I appreciate everyone’s hard work, time and commitment.”
Dr. Gazda has been the Superintendent of Ludlow Public Schools since 2012. In addition, he is the current Vice President of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.), and serves as a member of the M.A.S.S. Executive Committee and Legislative Committee. Since 2018, he has also been a member of the CES Licensure Program faculty, teaching the Law, Ethics, and the Educator graduate level course. From 2005 to 2012, he served as first Assistant Principal, and then Principal of Gateway Regional Middle School.
Dr. Gazda received his Doctorate of Educational Leadership from the University of Hartford in 2015, and his Masters of Education, Educational Administration from Westfield State College in 2008. At this time, he holds a Massachusetts Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent license; and is a member of the Bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the American Association of School Administrators, the New England Association of School Superintendents, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and M.A.S.S.
Prior to pursuing his career in education, in 1995, he received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Columbus School of Law; and worked as a contract attorney until 2001.
“I hope to bring to CES the energy that fosters a creative, collaborative spirit, and encourages our staff to be optimistic and enthusiastic about their work. I feel CES is uniquely situated to provide support and guidance for its member districts and educational institutions across the state that will be critically important at this time of change for education. The students of today demand a different educational experience and need a new set of skills to meet the challenges of the world they will enter upon graduation. Adjusting to the digital age, shifting demographics, and social justice and equity issues are just a few of the areas where we can work collaboratively to chart the course for our public education system here in Massachusetts. I’ve been a vocal advocate for change throughout my career and look forward to bringing my practical experience in policy development and implementation to that challenge,” said Dr. Gazda.
