Wellesley Public Schools has appointed Karsten Cash, a 1991 Wellesley High School graduate, as 2022-2023 interim director of the local METCO program he once took part in.
(Post updated on 9/12/22 with comments from Cash.)
He replaces Cynthia Russell, who after working as the school system’s K-12 director for the past 2 1/2 years and our Middle/Elementary coordinator for 17 years, recently resigned to return to Pennsylvania and be closer to her family.
Cash recently served as director of student support services at METCO’s headquarters. METCO enrolls students who live in Boston in suburban public schools on a voluntary basis.
His family represents three generations of METCO participants, including his in-laws, wife, and brothers. He’s also a current Wellesley METCO parent.
Cash has served on the Friends of Wellesley METCO board as scholarship committee co-chair.
Asked by email if he’d ever imagined himself working the the Wellesley school system after attending grades 10-12 here, he replied: “I absolutely did! Our METCO director was very supportive, strict, and encouraging. These were the same qualities that I experienced from all of my Wellesley teachers and staff. The teaching and cafeteria staff on up to the principal were always very friendly and held high expectations for me. Also, the relationships that were built with the adults in the building inspired me to attain the professional levels that I’ve achieved so I could give back to the communities that gave me so much. I always knew that I would be in the position to give back!”
Among Cash’s goals in his new job will be having “conversations with all district administrative leadership so that I KNOW that they all understand the history and impact of the METCO program on all of our students and families. I would also like to learn about their hopes and dreams for DEI in our community and how we can lock arms to ensure all of our goals are achieved.”
The METCO program in Wellesley falls within the public school system’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, led by Interim Director Jorge Allen.
“Wellesley Public Schools is not a school district with a METCO program,” Cash added. “WPS IS A METCO DISTRICT!”
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