Citing “family concerns” and facing a daunting budgetary crisis, Milton Superintendent of Schools Peter Burrows announced that he would resign, effective June 30th. The Milton School Committee voted unanimously to accept the terms of his resignation.

Burrows began at Milton before the 2023-24 school year and is the fourth superintendent since longtime administrator Mary Gormley retired in 2020.

Burrows spent the first 100 days of his tenure on a ‘listening and learning tour,’ which led him to develop a strategic plan for the district’s fu-ture. He said that “while I had intended to be here and lead [the district]” through the proposed changes, he ultimately had to leave to support his family.

However, it is also worth noting that Burrows has also faced criticism from parents, staff, and students over his handling of the budget deficit and other administrative errors. At a February community forum, Burrows was harshly criticized for his language toward special education staff and parents and for the district’s inability to properly predict salary and utilities costs.

According to the MPS budget page, the budget would need an increase of $6.4 million “to maintain our level of services next year.” Without an override, the school budget would only increase by approximately $1 million, leaving a $5.4 million shortfall.

Burrows says he “remains committed” to the district and his work through the end of the year, particularly as it relates to the over ride vote. The Milton Select Board set the override amount to $9.5 million, which voters will decide to approve along with several town-wide races on April 29.

School committee chairwoman Lizzie Carroll delivered the committee’s response to the resignation, thanking him for “leading our district over the past two years.” She added, “we recognize that this decision to resign comes at a very difficult time for the Milton Public Schools,” given the deficit.

Burrows will reportedly return to Vermont as the interim superintendent of Springfield, the district announced March 26.

The district then began the search for a new superintendent, with applications for an interim leader for the 2025-26 year closing on March 31st. A tight turnaround is typical to ensure the process is efficient and that the new superintendent can begin working immediately during the following school year.

The committee tapped the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and its executive director, Glenn Koocher, who also aided in the process of hiring Burrows, to help in the hiring process.

Ultimately, the committee selected John Phelan as its appointee to the role. Phelan has served as principal of Pierce Middle School, Assistant Superintendent under Gormley, and most recently, superintendent of Belmont Public Schools. He retired from Belmont after the 2022-23 school year but will return to lead Milton for the

interim beginning July 1st.

An avid supporter of special education, he currently serves as Director of Operations for Partners for Youth with Disabilities and in a coaching role with the Massachusetts Association of State Superintendents, according to his LinkedIn profile.