Mercer to Start Taking Over E.P. Schools as New Superintendent Today

East Providence's new superintendent of schools was scheduled to start the transition of taking over the department this morning.

Kimberly Mercer, the deputy superintendent in Pawtucket for 11 years, is expected to work for a week with Interim Superintendent John DeGoes before he departs.

She will move into the position even though the East Providence Budget Commission must still sign off on her employment contract. That is expected to be just a formality with Mercer on board already.

The School Committee voted unanimously on March 12 to approve her. The vote was hardly unexpected. She was the only finalist selected by the search committee, which included Budget Commission Chair Diane Brennan. 

“We got a clear recommendation for Ms. Mercer from the search committee,” said School Committee Chairman Joel Monteiro. 

Mercer thanked each member of the School Committee personally after her appointment. She said she is pleased by the “warm welcome” given to her in East Providence and looked forward to getting started.