nate_leadershipNathan Levenson, Managing Director

Nathan’s experience as a superintendent, school board member, and private sector CEO allows him to bring a unique perspective to his work at DMC.  As Managing Director, he oversees all consulting activities and directs the development of tools and systems to facilitate the implementation of best practices.  Nate works closely with superintendents and their leadership teams to create practical solutions to pressing challenges and to guide sustained efforts that turn opportunities into realities.

DMC Project Experiences Include:

  • Leading a redesign of special education in a mid-sized district that started with an in-depth study of both general and special education services.  A short list of high-leverage opportunities was developed, and a multi-year implementation effort resulted in improved academic support for students as well as annual savings exceeding $3,000,000.
  • Directing a strategic planning effort to ensure all students master 21st century skills despite declining resources. The inclusive process included prioritizing and reducing initiatives and aligning time and money to their strategy. The process concluded with the development of measurable outcomes and an accountability system.
  • Developing a software tool that allows district leaders to explore the achievement, political, and financial impact of various resource allocation strategies.  The tool provides a safe environment to explore a district’s priorities, philosophies, and options for resource allocation.

Other Professional Experiences Include:

  • Superintendent, Arlington, MA. Working with a very talented team, the district reduced the number of students reading below grade level by 52% and decreased the special education achievement gap by 66%. Some schools were commended by Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy, by the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, by the MA DOE Compass Schools program and by School Matters—all for outperforming schools in like communities.
  • CEO North American Industries, an engineering and manufacturing company.

Publications Include:

  • Contributing author, Stretching the School Dollar, Harvard Education Press 2010.
  • “Something Must Change: Rethinking Special Education,” American Enterprise Institute, 2011.
  • “Declining Resources, Targeted Strategies,” School Administrator Magazine, January 2011.
  • Forthcoming book, Because We Must: Raising Student Achievement While Lowering Costs, to be published by Harvard Education Press.

Education:

  • BA from Dartmouth College
  • MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School
  • Graduate of the Broad Foundation Urban Superintendents Academy

Boards:

  • Former Chair, Boxford, MA School Board
  • Former Vice President, Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity
  • Former UNCF, North East Region supporting African American students attending college.