He was the Superintendent of Schools. Not sure of the years but it was before the early 80's.

Hello Friends,

I hope this answers your question. This is an excerpt from the MHS 1975 yearbook that was dedicated to Mr. Gaudet in the year of his passing.

"The entire professional life of Joseph H Gaudet has been dedicated to the furtherance of education, specifically during his tenure as Superintendent of Schools in Middletown RI. Mr. Gaudet received his Master's degree in education from BU and a certificate of Advance Graduate from Harvard University. Salve Regina University conferred upon Mr. Gaudet an Honorary Doctorate in Education in 1970. Four schools in our town were constructed under his supervision. The benefits of his concern were experienced by all school children through his initiation and establishment of the Space Science Center. His concern extended to the establishment of the first program for secondary education and led to the acquisition with the Ford Foundation and Rhode Island College."

Although I never had the pleasure of having known him, naming our middle school and learning academy after him was certainly well deserved.

Mr. Gaudet was Superintendent of schools from the late 50's until retirement. This was a period of growth in Middletown with enrollment nearly 6000 students. He proposed the building of Middletown High and the Middle School. Prior to that students went to high school in Newport. He was well respected in the community and throughout the State.

Joe Gaudet was Superintendent of Schools when I began teaching at Middletown High when it first opened. He was always visiting the schools in town and cared deeply for the students and teachers. We all considered him a friend! BJ Northup-Owen

I remember when Mr. Gaudet came to visit our 6th grade class at Howland School. He seemed like a very kind and gentle man.Barbara Gill Carnes

I have posted a picture of Mr. Gaudet. I graduated with the class of 1965. His twin daughters, Marcia and Glenna were in my graduating class.

We are moving to the Newport area this summer and I am researching schools, etc...Would one of you let me know how Gaudet Middle school and Aquidneck Elementary are? I have kids that will be going into the 3rd and 5th grades when we move there....I am debating between homes in the Portsmouth area (Hathaway and Portsmouth middle school) and Middletown...Schooldigger.com says the Portsmouth schools are much better but I wanted to hear what residents feel? What is the general feeling? Any help would be much appreciated!!