Evaluation of the superintendent

again publishing as I go
Superintendent Melinda J. Boone is reviewing her goals and objectives.
(And we're being zippy here as the mayor needs to catch a plane)


Mayor O'Brien:
(his is the only one I don' t have the text of)
"really impressed with the work that's been done this year"
"I must say that in my six years on the school committee, I never imagined that we'd face the" sort of year we had last year
"incredibly challenging decisions"
"I think she's doing an exceptional job under incredibly trying times"
"it's not a perfect job--no one is perfect"
"she's made herself available at night or in the morning"
met with every principal
"I also think she has developed a great team. Strong leaders build strong teams."
"empowered her team to move these deals together"
"empowered them to take ownership and leadership over the system"
"positioned for a great future for this system"
"look forward to better days ahead"

Monfredo:
competing with other schools, make our schools the school of choice
parents an integral part
"working with closely with parents to gain their trust"
"has reached out to the community, in an attempt to make the 'village' concept part of the solution"
list of community organizations involved here
"reached out more and more to the community...communicator and a good listener"
"confident in her ability to lead"
"passionate about her work..treats all individuals with respect"
"not afraid to push back when she feels the concept is not sound"
"we work as a team...best interest of the students and the school system"
positive changes have been made that have been taken place in the budget
additional funding for Level 4 schools
comprehensive environmental system
Mulqueen: working to make our system better; time on innovation and Level 4 schools
"great promise and great results on FastForWord"
looking forward to positive results in level 4 schools
Promise Neighborhood work...community focus groups
suggest we increase the summer learning time...literacy in summer
corporate sponsors for WPL Bookmobile
school libraries open in the summer: "They need to get done"
effective ways of teaching writing
preschool advocates: additional low-income children in our preschools
children not passed on from kindergarten if they aren't ready
"one of the best in the state"
small class sizes remain a priority
input gathered on budget; preserve Compact with limited funds
need to work together to advocate for the WPS with the city
encourage to "apply for every grant avaliable"
have to assess changes in structure as the results come in
request she consider a talk show (this to a murmur of laughter from the public)
commitment to the community
"same can be said of her commitment on the state level"
"reputation as a state leader in education"
parent survey: data coming to School Committee before the beginning of the next school year
Student Advisory Council
accountability task force...advancing student achievement..linking practices to student achievement
"the use of focused instructional coaches does work"
expanding to high school
"now knows more about the community, political climate.."
high expectation for staff and students
boundless energy
"to work together"


Novick is here

Foley:apologizes for not having copies
"a very strong second year as a leader of WPS"
"has managed very well during another year of fiscal uncertainty"
"professional management at the helm"
across New England, districts that struggle to retain leadership (cites Providence)
"proud of..professionals who work in our schools each day"
Gateway Cities: envied our innovation schools, support for "reform" of schools
worked very hard to engage with School Committee this past year
report of superintendent on progress of district intiatives
organizational efficiency
"straightforward 'let's get it done' style"
Level 4 schools: great model for other communities to emulate
positioned Worcester to benefit from RTTT, SIG, and innovation schools
recommend increased recruitment of teachers to bring a diverse workforce to our community
"exceptional financial analysis..budget cycles rather than budget years"
carryover in $2.4 million to decrease the deficit
"represent our message properly"
continue to hear positive comments from people across the city and leaders
"coherent and focused approach" to student achievement
"very optimistic of the work in the innovation schools"
"many positive new initiatives...initial trends are good..real results are still years away"
communicated effectively
"strong relationships with the Governor and his educational leadership"
"willing to challenge the state when she felt the state was overstepping"
"through her warm and engaging personality...encourage to continue"
large number of partnerships that have been created and increased under her leadership"
Promise Neighborhood and innovation schools
"laser-like focus on student achievement"
work more closely with 0-4 aged childcare providers
"any evaluation of the superintendent is also an evaluation of the leadership team...work of Mulqueen"
"extraordinary...tremendous..." (this of Mulqueen)
"a new perspective to our district..recognizing our past successes"
"integrity,vision and passion"

Biancheria:
establishing consistency in communication between School Committee and Superintendent
"foil opportunities for meaningful collaborative work"
"start well does not also end well"
"items and questions often are created by inquiries" by parents and others in the community; owe them answers
superintendent's attention "must be divided"
"ongoing obstacle to the attainment of this goal"
efforts of collaboration should be broadened
"all staff in our schools throughout our whole system"
"many indicators of student achievements and in many areas"
"broader measures of success can and should exist"
action plan of special education should include concerns of School Committee (as expressed a few weeks ago)
budget "reflects tough economic times"

"all students on an equal level"
"fast track to success"
"administrative chart more top heavy without adding value to..education"
deserve recognition on closing the achievement gap
"close collaboration" with teachers needed
"commitment from our community"
alternative education expanded for next year
"success in expanding partnerships in our community"
concern "in staff members' confidence and trust"
"directly related to their buy-in to our goals"
need support, not limited to sites, systemwide
"physical presence throughout the school system should be a common sight"
risk of operating with legal counsel
data reporting useful, view of history and trends
"one model, one tool"
consider of funding levels
surveys must include follow-up...team effort
implementation must be discussed prior to implementation
safety, communication, follow-up, mutual respect

Mullaney
reshape manner in which School Committee does business
"spirited ..much push back"
High marks
(the written part here as a bit about School Committee items)
Mulqueen and Allen cited as serving well
"new and better plan" in alternative ed
Pay attention to alternative ed: tour on a drop-in basis
Level 4, busy year
"for better or for worse...competently and professionally aligned the district with the demands of the law"
budget "truly outdone itself"
Allen cited as "pulling a rabbit out his hat"
"financial house in order"
"wait and see" until MCAS scores are out to see if they've impacted student achievement
"more than a good faith effort"
"highly, highly commended" on public education
"portions of the populace which never before had actively participated in the city's discussion around education"
"big words that I don't even understand all the time..don't feel the need to go on at length"
"hard work and measurable results"
"a good 30% of students do not have the serious educational needs associated with urban public education": recommends attention
"good balance" of students
"needs of all students must be met"
technical education: "I hope that it would become a goal..many students who traditionally" technical education no longer can go to that school: lack of opportunity of vocational education for average and below-average student; "leaving too many students behind"
coverage of schools during summer vacation

O'Connell (from the chair):
"energetic, focused, 'performance-based' approach to leadership"
"worked diligently"
clear upward trajectory
"clearly matured into her position"
"closely and well with the School Committee"
retreat: planning in a relaxed and collegial setting; hope to continue
have documents beforehand: have tried as was feasible
"clear, practical approach"
"very aggressive effort" on innovation schools, "replication of Horace Mann concept"
wraparound zone: environment in which they can learn
"a fighting chance to do very well"
administrative positions: cites Mulqueen and Perda
(in writing he says "we continue to operate with senior 'six figure' administrative positions which are not truly vital in a time of financial austerity")
visible to the public, worked closely with us in accomplishing that
he cites a number of other measures of success beyond MCAS...benchmarks
spend more time with staff, visiting classrooms, talk to them but listen to them
"making that a high priority"
irregularities in MCAS: not to raise havoc with schools, otherwise people assume the worst
"full objective total disclosure of people what has occurred"
"aggressively sell those qualities"
raise the expectations of our students, more than they can achieve: mention of academically gifted students
"areas that can move forward..definitely seeing progress"


recommends that school safety report to superintendent directly