Ronald J. Areglado – Town Moderator
The town meeting is a form of direct democratic rule, used since the 17th century, in which the members of the community come together to legislate the budget for the local government. Charlestown keeps this bit of New England history alive in the position of Town Moderator. The Town Moderator acts as presiding officer at all regular and special Budget Public Hearings. Ron was elected to the Chariho School Committee in 2014, serving four years, and has demonstrated the calm temperament and integrity needed to be an excellent Town Moderator. He is fair, clear, organized, informed, and inclusive. The Budget Public Hearings need a Moderator who will facilitate an orderly meeting, and who has the ability to chair complex meetings, the skills to assure the debate is open, and a broad knowledge of the major underlying issues.
Education
- Doctorate in Educational Policy, Research and Planning: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
- Master’s in Education and Organizational Behavior: Boston University
- Bachelor of Science in Education and Psychology: Boston State College
- Senior Executive Leadership Certificate: Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government
- Certificate: School for Administrators for Excellence training
- Trained as a Covey Facilitator in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders, Principle-Centered Leadership, First Things First, Building Trust
- Situational Leadership Certification: Ken Blanchard Company, Escondido, CA
Professional Experience
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Past President, Center for Ethical and Moral Leadership, training and coaching clients in leadership development, interpersonal communication, and organizational development and effectiveness. Clients included for-profit and non-profit entities.
- Former Consultant both for-profit and non-profit groups on a variety of organizational issues such as leadership development, communication, team building, supervision and evaluation of personnel, and time management.
- Former Adjunct Professor at Rhode Island College and Fitchburg State College (Fitchburg, MA), teaching and supervising future elementary and middle school principals.
- Past Adjunct Professor at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst), Lesley College (Cambridge, MA), and North Adams State College (North Adams, MA), teaching graduate level courses on leadership, organizational behavior, curriculum and instruction and supervision and evaluation of education personnel.
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An Interim Superintendent of Schools and Principal of five public schools, including the Charlestown Elementary School
- Associate Executive Director of Programs, National Association of Elementary School Principals, Alexandria, VA
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Regional Director, Massachusetts State Department of Education, Northwest Regional Education Center
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Teacher, Boston Public Schools, responsible for all aspects of the curriculum for inner city middle school students, and for the design and implementation of a summer peer tutoring program
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Author or Contributing Author of many educational publications
- Speaker and Presenter at many national conferences for organizations such as the US Department of Education, National Bureau of Indian Affairs, National School Boards Association, National State Boards of Education, National Head Start Association, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National Staff Development Council, and American Education Research Association and to a large number of college and university educational leadership faculties. He has also spoken on educational issues with major media outlets including National Public Radio, CNN, MSNBC, Ladies Home Journal, Education Week, USA Today, Washington Post, New York Times, and innumerable local newspapers and radio talk shows.
- Recipient of the Oklahoma Association of Elementary School Principals Service to Education Award
- Recipient of the Governor’s Service to Education Citation, State of Texas
- Recipient of the President’s Outstanding Service Award, Massachusetts Elementary Principals
- Chosen as one of North America’s Top 100 School Executives by Executive Educator Magazine
Public Service
- Charlestown Representative, Chariho School Committee (2014-2018)
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Committee Member, Charlestown Charter Revision Advisory Committee (2002)
- Member, grass roots advocacy group that opposed the placement of industrial-sized wind turbines adjacent to Charlestown residential areas and the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge
- Committee Member, Coalition for Community Schools
- Committee Member, Institute for Educational Leadership
- Member, National Leadership Team, Collaborative for the Advancement of Social and Emotional Learning
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Member, Commission for the Advancement of Character Education
- Member, National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education Standards Committee
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Member, Center on Organization and Restructuring of Schools
Personal
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Ron’s wife, Maureen, is also a former school principal. They raised five children. Their children are now adults who live and work in the Pacific Rim and the Northeast.
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In his leisure time, Ron likes to take advantage of South County’s diverse, natural environmental offerings. He enjoys kayaking, fishing, snow shoeing, cycling and walking. He also takes advantage of the wide array of cultural offerings that the area routinely offers.
