By Max Bowen-max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
After 25 years in education, Superintendent of Schools Scott Holcomb is preparing for a shift in careers.
At a virtual meeting of the School Committee, Holcomb announced that he would be retiring from education on Aug. 26—his birthday—to pursue a career in the private sector.
Holcomb has been the school superintendent since 2017 and has also been assistant superintendent and principal of the town’s high school. Prior to his time in North Attleborough he was adjunct professor at Roger William University and assistant principal of the Seekonk High School, and taught at the Hopkinton and Bellingham high schools.
As superintendent in North Attleborough, Holcomb was praised during performance reviews for advances to the town’s education. At a recent meeting, members spoke highly of how he worked with faculty to pivot to remote learning and re-open the schools in a safe manner.
Holcomb said that even though he would be leaving the schools soon, he would remain involved, and spoke of a meeting being held between himself, Town Manager Michael Borg, and the Massachusetts School Building Authority to discuss potential funding for a feasibility study. This will be to determine which of the schools are most in need of replacement.
“That would be the cherry on top of that cake,” he said.
During the meeting, Holcomb spoke of a former student from his days teaching science in Bellingham. This student, Chirayu Patel, graduated top of his class and is now a doctor at Mass General Hospital in Boston, specializing in hematologic malignancies. The two stayed in touch and met regularly to catch up. A year and a half ago, Holcomb’s father visited to watch his daughter graduate from Attleboro High School. He wasn’t feeling well, and a blood test revealed the white cell count was dangerously high.
“The doctors were worried he might have leukemia,” said Holcomb.
The superintendent called Patel, who arranged a bed at Mass General and was part of the team that gave Holcomb’s father a bone marrow transplant.
Holcomb said the story illustrated the impact people can have on another’s life.
“Who would have thought he’d save my dad’s life,” said Holcomb. “It’s a wild twist of fate and I’m forever grateful for him.”