Clarence Fanto — The Berkshire Eagle May 31, 2026
LENOX — Superintendent William Collins received an “exemplary” rating from the School Committee in his third annual job performance evaluation, a mark of confidence for a district that had cycled through several leaders before his arrival.
The evaluation, presented at the committee’s recent meeting, praised Collins for bringing stability, clearer expectations and a student-centered focus to the district.
The performance review also reinforced new stability at the top of the school district’s administrative team. Collins became Lenox Public Schools’ sixth interim or permanent superintendent in eight years when he took over in July 2023.
“Everybody on the committee thinks Dr. Collins is doing a tremendous job,” committee Chair Oren Cass said.
In the evaluation, Collins was rated as proficient or exemplary on standards and goals, with an overall exemplary rating, including a high impact on student learning.
“We’re not only extremely fortunate, but it would be hard to imagine having a better person in the seat than you,” Cass told Collins during the meeting televised by CTSB.org.
Collins is about to complete the third year of his initial four-year contract, which has been extended through June 2029.
For the 2025-26 school year, which began July 1, 2025, Collins’ base salary was $180,000. He also received $3,000 for mileage and phone allowances, bringing his total compensation to $183,000, plus benefits. For the 2026-27 school year, his total salary compensation rises to $190,350, with no additional mileage or phone stipends.
High marks
In the evaluation, Lenox School Committee members described the superintendent’s dedication to the schools, students and community as “truly exceptional,” depicting him as a “strong leader whose enthusiasm for education is contagious.”
One member, unidentified in the document, described Collins as “an upstanding human being who always makes decisions based on what’s best for our students and is a valuable, integrated member of the Lenox community.”
Under his leadership, noted another, there has been a "significant shift in the cohesiveness of the admin team" and staff now have "a much clearer set of guidelines and expectations as well as [a] feeling of support from his transparency and willingness to listen and engage in conversations to collect feedback."
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Cass praised Collins for his “passion, commitment and leadership” and his “extraordinary generosity of spirit” in engaging with the schools and broader community.
The only critical comment he cited from the evaluation report was “that you sometimes seem too willing to open your door and hear from anyone who might have a concern to express.”
“With extraordinary gratitude, we evaluate you an exemplary superintendent,” Cass said.
At the committee’s May 18 meeting, Cass nominated Vice Chair Michael Dupont as the new chairman, a move unanimously approved by the members.
Cass was unanimously elected vice chairman for his final year on the committee, beginning this September.
In his year-end report on his third-year goals, Collins singled out the district’s mentoring program for new teachers as “really meaningful” for its “robust support” of newly hired faculty. “If you’re looking to be a teacher, this is the place,” he said.
The district is now offering introductory and advanced courses for staff to learn more about artificial intelligence, including its risks and opportunities, said Collins.
“We want to make sure we forge this path in the best way for students,” Collins said. “We’ve got our work cut out for us but we really want to get this right.”
Collins also touted leadership stability in the administration, the buildings and the School Committee that helps build some momentum while preventing any backsliding.
“We really have a student-centered focus, it’s a good team, I’m proud of them and where they’ve brought us,” he said.
School Committee member Kim Graham said she found it “refreshing that everything comes back to what’s best for the students.”