Malden's Steven Ultrino Honored by Mass Association of School Committees

Malden City Councilor Steven Ultrino has been awarded Life Membership in the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. The designation which is the highest award provided to former members of Massachusetts School Committees recognizes Ultrino's eight years on the Malden School Committee, his service on the MASC Board of Directors and years of volunteering to benefit children and families. Ultrino was the MASC State Secretary-Treasurer before moving onto the Malden City Council in 2012.

During his public service, Ultrino earned a doctorate in education from Nova Southeastern University, writing his thesis on the role of professional development for school committee members in improving student achievement. In 2011, Ultrino was invited to present his findings to the National School Boards Association convention where he addressed the national audience on strategies to promote academic performance for students. Later he helped create the Massachusetts District Government Support Project that provides training for school committee members across Massachusetts.

"Dr. Ultrino's work was among the very first studies to demonstrate how school committees can be effective. We had dozens of requests for his research as people were eager to elarn how to deal with the achievement gap," said Glenn Koocher, MASC's executive director. "His research and his work now benefits dozens of other communities."

A former teacher and principal, Ultrino is Director of Education for the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office and helps lead the state's District Government Support Project, now in its third year. Ultrino has also been associated with the Malden YMCA as a long time board member and was treasus of the Msgr. Neagle Housing Association.

Ultrino, who will be presented with Life Membership by MASC President Mary to Jo Rossetti of Somerville, will be honored at the MASC state convention on November 8, 2013 in Hyannis, MA along with author Jonothan Kozol. Submitted by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.