Evaluation of the Superintendent by the members of the School Committee

some comments from Superintendent Boone reflecting her self-evaluation
updating as we go; I am told that the Telegram & Gazette will be posting all of these online



O'Connell: first the positives
"focus on curriculum, which is where it should be"
implement a Common Core; where it may not suit our needs
"has not provided the level of academics...may need to be fleshed out"
"setting true expectations is vital"
"we haven't been able to accomplish as much as we would like" with gifted and talented
exam school
"level of academic achievement that truly they deserve"
"construction of a new Nelson Place School"
strong words here about "being in the driver's seat" around building a new school (I fear the MSBA process may be a shocker for Mr. O'Connell)
advocacy with the City Manager and the City Council
State of the Schools
improvements:
executive sessions: issues and documents in the meeting and expect action
no time for reflection
"Claremont situation could have been avoided" with prior notice
"a mutual respectful courteous" relationship
"truly it needs to stop!"
day-to-day relationship with school security
"perhaps discipline is not as rigorously supported as in the past"
"I'm not saying at this point that there's a significant problem, but there is a perceived" problem

Biancheria:
reports to TLSS have been beneficial
"level of importance cannot be shifted"
more discussion needed on expansion of AP; community concern on course offerings
measures of success important in innovation schools
"anticipate new best practices...that will impact all of our students and staff"
"a valued stamp on STEM-related opportunities"
"needs to increase...interest of young female students"
lowering dropout rate: discussion "seems difficult to spark in administration"
"need to support those programs is necessary" (for dropouts)
"more focus with a collaborative community effort is needed"
"concerned with" response on gifted and talented program
"should not limit the potential of discussion" (limited resources, that is)
"safety not in the forefront of the administration's plans as we move"
CAO as designee "open door to unwanted and unnecessary conflict"
"unified, solid and effective agreement and partnership" with WPD and safety liaison with administration
"reported data...has been limited on the success of the wraparound zone"
concerns about cost and effectiveness of wraparound zone
CPPAC a valuable parent organization
access to and review of survey data (from parents and students) needed by committee
"reasonable effort in updating and promoting the website as an effective means of communication"
"receiving and reviewing information at the last minute"
"need to establish parameters...would enhance communications" for executive session
"...will have lasting ramifications for the district"
"continued collaborative work" on budget issues with city manager and council

Foley:
"very successful year" for the superintendent and district
"exceptional administrative staff"
success "tied to leadership and the personnel decisions that are made"
"properly align the strategic direction of the district"
loss of funding support, environmental work, new construction and renovation
"new budget a model for any industry to replicate"
"growing demand and limited resources" of ELL and special ed
"behind the scenes work that is so important in moving the district forward"
"strong improvement" in operations and facilities: "run very well over the past year"
"compare favorably with any finance office in the Commonwealth"
"daily tasks that are so critical to our success"
"great to be at Nelson Place this week to actually discuss a plan for replacing that decaying structure"
"examine the long term funding needs of the schools"
"to look at future budget years more optimistically"
partnerships and outreach: "worked diligently"
"a positive momentum for our schools"
"this new budget document--which is now measured in pounds" and if it's not in there "just ask Mr. Allen, and he'll put it in next year's edition"
"not been afraid of change...bold moves at Claremont Academy"
"we are all accountable for the success of every student"
early childhood literacy
fiscal year 14 issues

Colorio
"do not believe this goal has been met" in incorporating community in curriculum review
monthly reports to School Committee
"be careful not to dilute the curriculum of the AP courses"
"time will tell" on innovation school
weakness on career ready "the minute students graduate from high school"
"time will tell" on dropout rate will improve on these initiatives
gifted students "not addressed sufficiently"
"the AP courses are not the answer for the gifted student"
"Worcester deserves more"
seems designee should be school safety liaison, not CAO
"there are other languages that need to be considered"
wraparound zone needs monitoring: "This area is too gray for me"
more partnerships: need to be explored
"more involvement and 100% representation" at CPPAC should be a goal for next year
communication be "as transparent and consistent as possible"
documents for executive session in advance
highlighted and marketed a bit "to offset and retain" students in the district
"majority of buildings kept up well"


Novick: read it here

Monfredo:
quotes Boone on high expectations and children rising to the occasion
dropout rate, growth in AP, Level 4 schools, graduation rate
quotes Patrick on innovation schools
virtual courses in high schools expanding
Adams scholarships
priority of elementary school class size
"great appointment in Jeff Mulqueen"
data system
would like to expand dual enrollment program
"writing is a 'power strategy' for student achievement"
grade level by end of grade 3 on reading
policy on bullying
expanding security: more cameras, working with gang units
cameras at Waverly St.
"school of choice"
Family academy
list here of the monthly and every other month meetings the superintendent attends
"scheduled meeting time every other month" with legislators: needed
"if we did that, we wouldn't be meeting when there's a crisis"
need improvement to market our schools
need videos, meeting with real estate agents
"greater focus" on building cleanliness
"pushing the envelope" on funding
"our city cannot continue to be in the bottom one percent in giving above the foundation budget"
expansion of school choice
"has to be a team approach"

Petty
sorry...I had to chair that