Norfolk Taps Igo School Principal Ingrid Allardi for Superintendent Position.

When school starts up again this September, there will be a different person sitting in the principal’s office at the Igo Elementary School.

Since coming to Foxborough in 2003, Ingrid Allardi had been the principal of the Igo School, but once the current school year ends, she will be leaving the Foxborough to take over as the Norfolk Superintendent of Schools.

“It's been a great experience, I’ve loved every minute. This is an exciting new career challenge for me. Being so close to home is a great professional opportunity for me,” Allardi said.

Allardi, who also served as the Foxborough assistant superintendent from 2006-2007 will be in charge of the Norfolk public school system which consists of two elementary schools.

The Wrentham resident who has had children in the King Philip school system was chosen for the job partially because of her understanding of the system by working nearby and having kids in the school system of a fellow member of the King Philip school system.

“I do have a sense of what my own children’s preparations and experiences were and some of the challenges they faced going into the regional system, so it definitely gives you an inside perspective on the operations of the system,” Allardi said of living in Wrentham.

In addition to her professional accolades, Allardi received her bachelor of arts degree from Smith College before attending graduate school and receiving her master’s degree from Tufts University. She earned her doctorate in educational administration from Boston College.

Selected as a finalist from a pool over over three dozen applicants, Allardi beat out three other candidates who were at one point considered finalists for the position. Paul Zinni, the Director of Pupil Services for the Avon Public Schools withdrew his name from consideration after he received a new contract from his current school system. Joan Wickman who is the superintendent of Erving School Union No. 28 was eliminated from consideration after an interview by the Norfolk School committee. 

The final two came down to Allardi and Marryann Perry who is the deputy superintendent of the Leominster public school system.

Spending a considerable amount of time with both final candidates including visits and interviews with those who know the candidates, the Norfolk school committee chose Allardi and approved her with an unanimous vote of 4-0 to name her the new superintendent in a special meet on the morning of Saturday, March 24.

Allardi will finish out the school year that ends on June 18 and will assume her new duties for the town on Norfolk on July 1. 

While Allardi is excited for her new challenge, that does mean leaving behind some enjoyable aspects of her current position and a staff for which she has nothing but high praise for.

“The staff here are phenomenal," she said. "Very passionate group of educators who are highly professional and committed to their job.

“I will greatly greatly miss my time with the students. I enjoy that part of my job, interacting with children on a daily basis. I will miss the people more than anything.”

For now the person who will replace Allardi remains undecided as the interview process is starting. At a recent Foxborough school committee meeting, board members Beverley Lord and Kate Kominsky agreed to serve on a new committee to find Allardi’s successor.