Andrew B. O’Leary, MA, CAGS
Superintendent
Appointed Superintendent for school year 2023-2024, Andrew O’Leary states he draws inspiration from the great New Bedford abolitionist, James Bunker Congdon who said of the school system in 1848: “All are and have ever been satisfied, and no schools in the Commonwealth stand higher than ours.” The New Bedford school district has led the Commonwealth throughout its history and will again in the future.
A native of County Cork, Ireland, Mr. O’Leary is a graduate of University College Cork, Ireland, and the College of St. Rose, Albany, New York, with advanced graduate study in Education Leadership at Northeastern University.
Mr. O’Leary began teaching in the New Bedford Public Schools in 2004 and a year later he served as Director of Federal/State Programs, managing all of the district’s grant programs, until 2013 when appointed NBPS Business Manager, overseeing almost $200 million annually in service of New Bedford students. That period included a ten-year stint teaching undergraduate history to the students of Greater New Bedford at Bristol Community College as adjunct faculty.
In the years prior to his appointment as Superintendent, Mr. O’Leary served as Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, leading the most active period of investment in classrooms and some of the most visible infrastructure improvements in district history.
Recognized as an advocate for equity in education systems, Mr. O’Leary is a regular contributor to media and legislative forums on education leadership, finance, and facility improvements and serves as a current board member of the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials (MASBO).
Most importantly, Mr. O’Leary is a busy parent of five, including two NBHS students.