There’s a new(ish) sheriff in town, Falcons! David Murphy’s position was recently changed from fake superintendent to real superintendent, so the Register Forum sat down to get to know the man who runs CPSD. The following are excerpts from an interview conducted by the RF.
RF: Let’s get down to business. What’s your first move as official head honcho?
Murphy: We need an overhaul of the whole district. $40,000 was secretly paid to a fishy superintendent search company, and I only received 10% of it? Someone has to go.
RF: Let’s address the elephant in the room. Do I even need to say it?
Murphy: No, you don’t. I was the one who pulled the fire alarm in October. I just couldn’t help myself!
RF: How are you going to help decrease vaping at CRLS?
Murphy: My collection is always growing. I encourage students to donate their vapes to me! I will pay handsomely.
RF: Where were you on January 6th, 2021?
Murphy: Wouldn’t you like to know.
RF: What draws you to Cambridge as a city and a school district?
Murphy: There’s two McDonald’s here. Can’t find that in Somerville or Watertown!
RF: You worked in Major League Baseball for two years before switching to education. How did working in baseball inform your duties as superintendent?
Murphy: I think baseball and education have a lot in common, actually. I believe in a three strike system. After an educator does three things I don’t like, let’s just say I “take them out.” I also think we can learn a thing or two from the recent successes in sports gambling. Placing odds on students’ grades and behavior would be a great way to build professional development.
RF: What is your response to students’ criticisms of Yondr pouches?
Murphy: Personally, I don’t get it. I can’t get enough of my Yondr pouch, I’m thinking about getting a Yondr pouch just to put my Yondr pouch in!
RF: What song has been your November anthem?
Murphy: “Nights Like This” by Kid Laroi for sure. I like to drive down the freeway, roll my windows down, and put my foot on the floor when that comes on. It’s a real dandy tune!
RF: What is a piece of advice you have for CRLS students?
Murphy: Never get in a taxi with someone you don’t know. As you know, I was shot five times in the stomach and legs in the back of a yellow cab in 1992.
RF: Just to get ahead of potential controversy, are there any old tweets of yours that could resurface?
Murphy: How much time do you have?
This article also appears in our November 2025 print edition.
