A single agenda item today:
Selection of Commissioner for Recommendation to Secretary — Discussion and Vote
It's (now) a fully remote meeting, which will be going up here (watch that page; the video itself will be a new link off that page once it starts).
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| Please enjoy these daffodils on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway |
Updating as we go
Meeting opens at 2:05 with introductions
Craven reviews applications, initial round, finalist interviews
Each Board member speaks one at a time: Vice Chair then in alphabetical order, with the Chair and Secretary last.
Then roll call and deliberation until one candidate receives eight votes; 2/3 required for recommendation
Craven wants to thank search firm, good candidates, "very talented and very accomplished in their own right"
Hills: "three really really good solid finalists"
work of full advisory committee
Hills says "four really really good qualified candidates" (which is also the wrong number)
"if we get this right, we have the best chance...if we get it wrong, it almost doesn't matter what else we do"
Commissioner who can articulate a very clear vision (wrong), prioritize among very different priorities, balancing urgency with operational overlook
operationalize a game plan to achieve a vision; align resources and get everyone on board
all row in the same direction, incentive in the same way
working with constituencies
"difference between oversight and bureaucracy"
manage directly and indirectly
"pivot but not panic"
"the more experience the better both leading and managing large and complex organization"
experience navigating in government both state and local
collaborate very closely with the Secretary
"want someone who can inspire, not just someone who is charismatic" (?)
maintain focus, operates with clarity and humility
learn from success and failure
"I could make a case that...any...certainly" hit several
"I think of Pedro Martinez as the right person"
DID NOT SEE THAT COMING
significant increase in responsibility
lead large organizations to get positive results
internal and external constituencies in the same direction and get really good results to boot
not everyone will love him equally
get the results we want in ways that are not burning bridges behind him
"this is what we need here...someone with a vision...different ecosystems...pulling together"
significant weight on having that "number one chair" before
"no place to run, no place to duck, no place to hide"
others have led significant statewide initiatives
has priorities, the track record, the leadership experience
think Secretary would have an amazing partnership
Asikis: also will vote for Pedro Martinez
really building alignment state and local level
Shared his own story, immigrating at 6 years old
therapy
believe best change in course in Massachusetts
Fisher: all three candidates
also voting for Martinez
also lift up other attributes
leadership; top leadership position, controversy, challenges and stay standing
need someone who can fight the good fight and continue the path forward, particularly with federal challenges
both top in Chicago and time as CFO
"someone who has that wealth and depth of experience of a chief financial officer" very important at this moment
focus on data transparency; have what families and teachers need
commitment to CTE and college partnerships
able to raise teachers' salaries while in Chicago
commitment to students in poverty and multilingual learners
Grant: thank search committee
each presented a bold vision for leadership
share thought it's the most important vote
"like my colleagues I will be voting for Pedro Martinez"
won't read all notes but did want to amplify three things
work at local level, various levels
deeply about term "innovation" how he thought about it
thinking about what data and research has told us, what are needs of specific community at this time
high school redesign work in San Antonio; model for country as a whole
understanding not just the data but what is the story behind that data, history behind that data
"how would we...look at supporting our students today and for a host of tomorrow"
be a visionary leader and deeply lead people of the agency
Mohamed: appreciated all three candidates
"I too thought that Pedro is the right person for the state at this time"
ability to really navigate complex relationships
operationalize a plan
Moriarty: will also vote for Martinez
"is nobody mindful of how much Pedro Martinez did for the Red Sox"
Laux was remarkably well researched
liked her answer on literacy
equally assured that the other two understand the mechanics well
thought Martinez gave the weakest answer, but not a lack of knowledge
"regret we don't have a tripartite commissionership...but we don't"
strongest attributes were focus on students in poverty, that poor children can learn, that low expectations need to be drive out of the educator space firmly
reaching out to the many varied stakeholders
Rocha: want to echo everyone in thanks
appreciate love for Massachusetts and desire to lead as Commissioner
experience as an immigrant worker, English learner
vote for Lily Laux, very strong in navigating complex systems
closing gap on students of color
understanding on data driven, documents don't change experience in the classroom
Stewart: most insightful aspect of interviews is that they bring such diverse perspectives
considering how I would go forward with something like this...a lot to learn and get up to speed
had to consider that they demonstrate a depth of experience, data driven, equity, clear vision and implementation strategy
Lily (Laux) brought the depth of knowledge
engagement with Governor's State of the State, budget priorities
responses were deeply layered
West: enjoyed and benefited from hearing from others
was favorably impressed by all three finalists
Elsey innovative work
Laux had a "phenomenal interview...well prepared and well informed"
equally impressed by Pedro Martinez: more of a demonstrated track record
initially had been concerned about lack of state level experience relative to Laux
learned in some of settings he's worked, including Chicago, district role is more similar to state in terms of levers of driving change
important and nuanced distinction in the state: proficiency and poverty connection
growth data
very close final choice, but am persuaded by majority of those spoken that Pedro would be the right choice for Massachusetts at this time
would be in favor of recruiting Laux if possible
Craven: nationwide search that was called for, literacy
all of whom are excellent, twice
"very lucky to have" finalists
the person I'm going to support at this time, proven track record in standing up for kids is Pedro Martinez
(WHICH IS EIGHT)
closing achievement gaps
collaboration with local districts
managing relationships with legislature
kids in poverty; living proof of that
not just numbers on page; meets constituencies where they are at
meet people where they are at
extemporaneous, think on feet
what we're going to do on accountability in Massachusetts, because we have confusion right now going on
Tutwiler: deliver a problem, but it's a good problem
thought Laux was "absolutely extraordinary, clearly knew her stuff"
came to that experience really have scaled, hard to scale initiatives in Texas
"scenario of inches" in making decision
as think about role, give the edge to Pedro Martinez
track record of success in unideal contexts
unapologetic nature when it calls for it
Hills makes the motion, second by several
Rocha abstains, Stewart votes present, all others in favor, thus 9 in favor
Motion to negotiate: passes with with two abstentions (Tutwiler joins the abstention as the recommendation is to him) and one present
Craven: committed to all constituencies at the table being heard from
adjourned
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