Claremont schools prepare for a fresh start under new superintendent

Broadrick said the priority is not only improving academics but restoring a district that operates reliably when students return to class.

As Claremont’s school district enters a new academic year, Timothy Broadrick is taking over with the immediate challenge of steadying a system shaken by a $5 million deficit.

Broadrick said the first job is making sure the district functions smoothly in the basics, from planning staff development days and coordinating schedules to arranging meals and handling purchase orders. He said the district has stopped the financial bleeding and can now focus on rebuilding SAU #6 in a more organized way.

The turnaround comes after a turbulent year in which the budget shortfall forced teacher layoffs, reduced after-school programs including sports, and the shutdown of an elementary school. Families and staff were unsettled by the crisis, and Broadrick said confidence in the district was badly damaged as some employees left and enrollment dropped.

A series of audits is now examining how deep the financial problems run. Broadrick said the accounting issues appear to stretch back at least seven years, including problems tied to federal funds that were not properly tracked or reimbursed, leaving expected revenue unrealized.

Despite the turmoil, Broadrick said schools will open on schedule. He noted that dozens of new employees have joined the district and that payroll funding is in place. His broader goal is to build a system that can sustain itself while keeping student achievement at the center of the effort.

For now, Broadrick said the priority is not only improving academics but restoring a district that operates reliably when students return to class.