Town Government
Littleton School Committee & Superintendent
The Superintendent
Dr. Michael Caira
About 1,632 students start their day in this district, and one person answers for all of it. Dr. Michael Caira leads Littleton Public Schools, proposing the school budget, setting academic priorities, and running a system of four schools day to day. The Superintendent is hired by and reports to the elected School Committee, which evaluates his performance. Caira took the job in 2026 after a search the committee ran in the open: each finalist spent a public day in the district, with forums where staff, parents, and residents could ask questions before the committee voted. That is how a town this size picks the person who runs its public schools, and any resident could have been in the room.
| Role | Superintendent of Schools |
|---|---|
| District office | 36 King Street, Littleton, MA 01460 |
| Phone | 978-540-2500 |
| Website | littletonps.org |
The School Committee
The Littleton School Committee has five members elected town-wide to staggered three-year terms, so a seat or two is on the ballot most springs. The committee sets district policy, approves the school budget, and hires and evaluates the Superintendent who runs the schools day to day. After the May 2026 town election the committee’s officers are Elaine Santelmann as Chair, Sean Aherne as Vice Chair, and Annalise Taber as Clerk. Its meetings are public, which means a Littleton student who shows up can speak.
Elaine Santelmann
Sean Aherne
Annalise Taber
Justin McCarthy
Jeanine Wood
The District at a Glance
- Enrollment: 1,632 students, PreK through 12.
- Schools: four: Shaker Lane School, Russell Street School, Littleton Middle School, and Littleton High School.
- Graduation rate: 96.8%.
- State data: DESE profile (code 01580000).
Meetings & Participation
- When: on the committee’s posted calendar, with agendas and packets on the district website at littletonps.org.
- Public comment: residents may address the committee with the chair’s permission. Check the agenda for sign-up details.
- Minutes: posted on the district website, so you can read every vote after the fact.
- Elections: committee seats are decided at the annual town election in May, and any registered Littleton voter can run.
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