Providence Superintendent Negotiates Contract Exit
Javier Montañez has hired legal counsel to finalize an early departure from the Providence school district.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Administration
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Providence School Superintendent Javier Montañez has hired a lawyer to negotiate an exit agreement with the school board. This move follows a string of recent high-level resignations within the district administration.
Why it matters
The departure marks a significant leadership shift for the district as it continues navigating its return to local control. Officials are now focusing on a transition process for the superintendent role.
Javier Montañez signed a three-year contract in July 2024 that provides an annual raise of 3% and is valued at $200,000 per year. The agreement is currently slated to expire on June 30, 2027.
The players
Javier Montañez
He is the superintendent of Providence Public Schools who is currently negotiating an early departure from his position.
Zack Scott
He previously served as the deputy superintendent of operations for the district until his resignation in September 2026.
Paula Dillon
She was the deputy superintendent of academics for the district prior to her resignation in October 2026.
Lisa DiMartino
She served as the chief of staff for the school district before resigning in late October 2026.
The details
Javier Montañez, who has served as superintendent since 2022, is working through private legal counsel to facilitate his exit. His decision arrives amid the recent resignations of deputy superintendents Zack Scott and Paula Dillon, as well as chief of staff Lisa DiMartino.
Timeline
Javier Montañez was appointed interim superintendent in June 2021.
Montañez was named permanent superintendent in April 2022.
The superintendent signed a three-year contract in July 2024.
Deputy superintendent Zack Scott resigned on September 25, 2026.
The current contract of Javier Montañez is set to expire on June 30, 2027.
Culture Shift
The transition process follows the return of Providence Public Schools to local control in mid-2026. This shift places the board in a new position of authority regarding the recruitment and selection of a replacement for the superintendent role.
Parents and residents can expect the school board to prioritize the recruitment and selection process for a new superintendent in the coming weeks. This leadership change may influence the administrative direction of district programs as the board reviews performance metrics.
The takeaway
The administrative overhaul suggests a period of significant transition for the school district as it stabilizes following its return to local control. Residents should monitor upcoming board meetings for updates regarding the selection of a permanent successor.
What happens next
The school board is scheduled to discuss the job performance of potential leadership candidates during a meeting on Wednesday.
Further reading
For more on local district management, see the Administration section.
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