After half a century of working in public education and helping students in the greater Lowell region, Westford Superintendent Everett “Bill” V. Olsen has left Westford to become interim superintendent of the Merrimack, New Hampshire school system.
State Rep. James Arciero recently congratulated Olsen — who has spent the past 51 years as an educator and administrator — for his dedication and retirement from the Westford Public School system alongside friends, family and colleagues of the longtime superintendent during a jubilant ceremony at Kimball Farm.
“Bill has dedicated his life to teaching and managing high quality education in the town of Westford,” Arciero said. “His spirit and desire to bring superb education to our region has touched the lives of thousands of students, adults and professionals.
His hard work to make Westford Public Schools one of the best public school systems in Massachusetts will be felt for years to come,” Arciero added.
Olsen began teaching in the Lowell Public School system in 1970 as a science and math teacher. Fourteen years later, in 1984, he was appointed Director and Assistant Superintendent of Lowell before becoming the business manager of Westford Public Schools in January of 1986.
He has worked for Westford ever since.
From 1999 to 2000, he would serve as the Interim Superintendent Assistant Superintendent from 2000 to 2006, before becoming Superintendent of Westford public schools later that year.
Under Olsen’s leadership, Westford has become one of the best public school systems in the commonwealth.
Westford Academy was ranked the 30th best high school in Massachusetts, according to a 2021 U.S. News report, and received nearly perfect ratings from the same report thanks to its proficiency in math and reading measurements. Westford Academy was ranked the 754th-best high school in the United States.
According to Niche, a Pittsburgh-based website that congregates data on thousands of schools across the United States, Westford ranked 58th out of 11,645 for teachers and 74th out of 10,760 in regards to being one of the best school districts in the country.
Niche ranked Westford Public Schools as the sixth-best school district in Massachusetts with high marks in academics, teacher, college preparation, health and safety, clubs and activities, sports and administration.
“Bill’s commitment to education will have an impact for years to come,” Arciero said. “From students that will come through the school system to my own daughter, who will start going to Westford schools this fall, Bill’s compassion and desire to make great schools for our families will be felt for generations to come.”
