Former Fall River educator retires today as Superintendent of Westport Community Schools, Fall River native taking over

An educator familiar with Fall River area residents is retiring today from Westport schools and a Fall River native is taking over.

Thomas Aubin announced his pending retirement as Superintendent of the Westport Community Schools in a letter in January.

“With mixed emotions, I announce my retirement as Superintendent of Schools, effective at the conclusion of my current contract on June 30, 2025. After a forty-one- year career in education, I have decided to step into the next chapter of my life. 

“I have been honored to work alongside an incredible team of educators, staff, students, and families throughout my tenure. Together, we have made great strides in advancing academic excellence, enhancing student support services, and fostering a strong sense of community within our schools. It has been a privilege to serve as an advocate for our students and to contribute to the ongoing success of our district. 

“As I complete my contract, I remain fully committed to ensuring a smooth transition and continuing our district’s progress. I will work diligently in the months ahead to support our schools, faculty, and families while assisting in identifying my successor. 

“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the entire Westport community for your support, collaboration, and dedication to our students. I look forward to celebrating our collective achievements in the time I have remaining as Superintendent. 

“Thank you for the opportunity to serve this incredible district.” 

Aubin was unanimously voted to the position in March of 2021 after serving as Interim Superintendent of the Westport Community Schools since October 2020. Previously, he served as principal of Westport Jr./Sr. High School and assistant superintendent, a position assumed July 1, 2020.

Superintendent Aubin’s role as assistant superintendent arose in part due to the district preparing to enter the final stage of the Westport Middle-High School Building Project, and he was tasked with overseeing the project.

Previously, Superintendent Aubin served as superintendent/director of the Greater Fall River Vocational School District, as vocational coordinator for GFRVSD for 13 years, and also served as the district’s dean of students.

He also served as the Middleborough High School assistant principal for two years, and has worked in the past with the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

Superintendent Aubin earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Fitchburg State College and a bachelor’s degree in history from Southeastern Massachusetts University (UMASS Dartmouth).

Additionally, he has served on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators, the Bristol County Office of Economic Development and the Bristol County Chamber of Commerce/Education. He was a 1998 recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award from the Diman Administrators Association.

Taking over for Aubin is Dr. Fran Roy after a unanimous vote by the School Committee in April.

Roy has been a prominent educator in Massachusetts for over 30 years with most recently a professor of practice in education and field experience coordinator at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts.

Roy’s career began as a math teacher across multiple states, including Massachusetts. She later served as the math department head at Mary L. Fonseca Elementary School in Fall River for eight years, followed by a significant role as a state-appointed receiver by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. In this capacity, she oversaw the turnaround of struggling schools, including Parker Elementary School in New Bedford and Dever Elementary School in Boston. Roy was Chief Academic Officer for the Fall River Public Schools from 2010-early 2017 and was Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Rhode Island from 2001-2004. She also served as a Math Education Consultant across southern New England for many years.

Roy has a vast educational background including a doctorate at University of Wisconsin-Madison.