Dr. Filippelli has served as the Superintendent in Lincoln since 2018. He previously served as Superintendent of Schools in Scituate, RI from 2016-2018. He served as assistant superintendent in Scituate from 2009-2016. Prior to that (2005-2009), he was principal of Scituate Middle School and named the Rhode Island Association of School Principals Middle School Principal of the year in 2009. From 2002-2004, Dr. Filippelli was the assistant principal of Scituate Middle/High School. Dr. Filippelli began his career in Providence, RI at Mt. Pleasant high school before coming to Scituate, RI in 1999 first as a middle and high school teacher and then as an administrator. A believer in gratitude and paying it forward, he mentors new and upcoming school leaders to grow them into strong administrators. He serves as adjunct faculty both at Providence College in the Graduate Program in Educational Administration and in the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership at Johnson & Wales University.
During his tenure as Superintendent, Lincoln has demonstrated a focus on teaching and learning and upgrading facilities to enhance student success. This has been evidenced by a focus on The Vision of a Graduate program, the K-12 Lincoln Lion Learner Initiative and various school construction projects; most notably the groundbreaking of a Physical Education Center and the completion of a 60-million-dollar high school construction/renovation project in 2021. Lincoln also has greatly expanded special education and in-district career pathways programs during his tenure and has created a strong partnership with the Governor’s office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and having Lincoln High School be the first in the state to facilitate that office’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) incubator program. Dr. Filippelli has been an active member of the RI School Superintendents Association for 13 years. He has been a member of the several subcommittees. Dr. Filippelli sits on the Rhode Island School Safety Committee and is widely considered and expert in school safety, security and crisis response planning. Along with the RI School Safety committee, he reviews safety and crisis response plans for many districts in the state of RI. He also sits on the Rhode Island Green Business Advisory Committee and serves on the executive board of the Rhode Island School Superintendents Association serving as Secretary.
Dr. Filippelli earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree at Providence College, a Masters of Arts degree in American History from Providence College, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Johnson & Wales University. Dr. Filippelli is a current member and past president of The 100 Club of Rhode Island which is an organization that helps first responders across the state in their time of need and provides scholarships to high school seniors who are the children of first responders. He also sits on the board of directors for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Rhode Island. Dr. Filippelli lives in Smithfield, RI with his wife Stephanie and his two daughters, Emilena (age 16) and Aria (age 11).
Past AASA Rhode Island Superintendent of the Year Winners:
2021 Rhode Island Superintendent of the Year: James Erinakes
2020 Rhode Island Superintendent of the Year: Kathryn Crowley
About the Award:
The Superintendent of the Year program, sponsored by First Student and AASA, pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead the nation’s public schools.
State-level winners are selected on the following criteria:
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- Leadership for Learning
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Community Involvement