Town Government
School Committee & Superintendent
The Superintendent
Dr. Melissa Spash
About 5,223 Natick students start their day in this district, and one person answers for all of it. Dr. Melissa Spash became Superintendent of Natick Public Schools on July 1, 2024, after the School Committee chose her at the end of a seven-month search to succeed interim leader Bella Wong. She came up through Lawrence Public Schools, rising from middle school math teacher to principal to deputy superintendent, after beginning her career in finance. She holds degrees from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Northeastern University. The Superintendent proposes the school budget, sets academic priorities, and is hired by and reports to the elected School Committee.
| Role | Superintendent of Schools |
|---|---|
| In office | Since July 2024 |
| District office | 13 East Central Street, Natick, MA 01760 |
| Phone | 508-647-6500 |
| Website | natickps.org |
The School Committee
Natick’s School Committee has seven members, all elected town-wide to staggered three-year terms at the spring town election, plus a non-voting METCO representative. The committee sets district policy, approves the school budget, and hires and evaluates the Superintendent who runs the schools day to day. Two seats were filled in the March 2026 election, and the committee reorganized in April 2026 with Matt Brand as Chair. The committee meets about twice a month on Mondays, in person and online, and the meetings are public, which means a Natick student who shows up can speak.
Matt Brand
Catherine Brunell
Jaymin Patel
Cathleen Collins
Elise Gorseth
Shai Fuxman
Matthew Welch
Keiani Gomes
The District at a Glance
- Enrollment: 5,223 students, PreK through 12.
- Schools: 7, including Natick High School.
- Graduation rate: about 94.9% for the class of 2025.
- State data: DESE profile (code 01980000).
Meetings & Participation
- When: roughly twice a month on Mondays, in person and online, with agendas posted on the district website.
- Public comment: residents may address the committee. Check the agenda for sign-up details.
- Watch: meetings are carried on Natick Pegasus and available on demand.
- Subcommittees: much of the detailed work on budget, policy, and facilities happens in subcommittees.
Sources
Natick school committee (natickps.org). Verified July 2026.
Natick school committee (natickma.gov). Verified July 2026.
What this seat decides
Your schools
School Committee. Start times, the school calendar, bus routes and stops, the phone policy, athletics and activity fees, and anything in the student handbook. It sets district policy, and the total size of the school budget is voted by Town Meeting, or by your Mayor and Council in a city.
Your principal and your superintendent. The principal for how a school rule works day to day in your building. The superintendent for how the whole district runs. The School Committee hires exactly one employee, the superintendent, so a question about any other staff member goes to the district, not to the board.
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