Not with a bang but a whimper*

*T.S. Eliot "The Hollow Men"

Tonight the Worcester School Committee votes on the new superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools. While there's been some reporting, the analysis on this has been weak, with marked exceptions of Clive McFarlane and (provided you can roll your eyes over the intro), of all things, GoLocal.
The School Committee conducted all four interviews on a single night, held the meet and greets on a single night two days later, and are voting a week later.
Not a lot of time for consideration in there.
As I said before, though, it's less the rush and and much more the lack of perspective that's the real worry here. The Committee wants someone who "knows Worcester"--I heard this referred to as the "did you shop at Spag's" test. Fine. All four of your finalists pass that one with flying colors.
What else?
Last week, CPPAC heard that the budget gap is in the vicinity of $20 million. That isn't going to magically vanish, and, yes, that's the first order of business for the new superintendent. Important to note that the interim contract for Dr. Rodrigues is through July OR the appointment of a new superintendent. 
We're one school away from being a Level 3, not Level 4 district. That, however, depends on getting Burncoat Prep out of Level 4 status and nothing else sliding. Given the way that such decisions are made, the only thing standing between Worcester and a few more Level 4 schools is continued assurance in Malden that Worcester is making progress. With Dolores Gribouski's retirement, June Eressey's going back to retirement, and who knows what happening with Dr. Rodrigues, Worcester's just lost most of those who have been doing this work at the district level successfully (Mary Meade-Montaque being the exception). If you lose DESE's confidence, there's literally nothing preventing Malden from declaring other schools Level 4. If you can't turn those around with the dwindling resources they're extending, well, welcome to the receivership club.
And if you think the state isn't looking at Worcester, you haven't been paying attention.
The district has a settlement agreement with the federal Department of Justice regarding how we treat our kids. Worcester just completed the periodic Coordinated Program Review, which now needs to have all the loose ends tied to make sure we continue to receive grants and aren't violating civil rights laws. The district is under federal and state scrutiny on dozens of matters and ultimately all that falls to the superintendent.
And that doesn't of course get into the day-to-day management of an organization that employes 4000 people and is responsible for the well-being and education of 24,000 kids.

It isn't pretty. It isn't photogenic. But it is absolutely the superintendent's job.

I saw today some comments that "overwhelmingly" comments from constituents were favorable about the search and the candidates.
Overwhelmingly what I've heard from parents and others across the district was that there was no point in weighing in, as the decision had been made months ago. Thus the terrible turnout at the meet and greet. "Why bother?" is what I have heard over and over again.

"Why bother?" isn't what a school district needs to be hearing from parents and community members.
Yet that is just where this superintendent search has left us.

Not with a bang but a whimper.

Interim Superintendent Entry plan

You can find our backup here.
Rodrigues: how I intend to keep the district moving forward to June
build upon our successes
"effectively collaborate with all members of the WPS community to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment that promotes a high achieving school district"

1. interim re-organization of admin team; addition of third quadrant manager through June; realign office staff
2. open, fluid, honest, communication protocol: meetings with stakeholders, monthly meetings with principal leadership; weekly superintendent update; master schedule for SC items; public engagement; communication with delegation; enhance report of superintendent (including "closer look" series starting in February)
3. high quality teaching and learning: multi-tiered system of supports; advanced high school academy; focus on level 3 schools; coordinated review; focus on ELL and special ed and graduation rates; individual learning plan starting with seventh grade (through Naviance)
4. respectful, positive climate and culture: safety advisor; training in school resource officer model; revision of MOU with WPD; climate and culture report card; student/family guide to student discipline; evaluate safety audit; implementation of Worcester HEARS
5. FY17 budget: presentation with Governor's budget; ongoing budget status through spring; budget to be out May 13, 2016

Monfredo: reach out and listen to the community

communication and transparency: 

safety certainly will be a high priority

O'Connell: many of the concerns that are addressed in the plan are those that have been emphasized

communication and school safety

front and center in a key way

"would hope that meetings include...professional associations of staff"

"opportunity to express exactly what their concerns are"

"speak up very candidly and effectively"

"good news, bad news, let us know"

focus on budget: hope that we'll be able to look at it very aggressively to free up funds 

then I spoke

Foley: reflect the feelings of the School Committee

challenge to implement it all

when we do meet with the state delegation: Foundation Commission report

"we know that they aren't going to turn around and be able to generate an additional $90M" but to begin the fight

"really build upon your links to the principals"

would stress the need for immediate information as things come up

"and I don't want to hear about everything"

most important items so we can respond to them right away

"budget process past several years has been outstanding"

"going to be a challenging time for us"

"thank you and this is a good start"

Ramirez: appreciate public engagement plan

"I hope to collaborate in that"

Biancheria: "I was hoping more money could go to the classroom"

"concern that we become top-heavy"

job functions have to be distributed to the right people

transparency of creating new things and looking of things outside of the box

appreciate timely response to items

look forward to information we receive on academic 

hope for "MOU that actually works for us"
doesn't mean that it should be under the City Council or brought to City Council
"do agree with my colleagues that it has been advantageous to us to sit and discuss our budget"
comments that budget for several years came out over Memorial day weekend

Rodrigues: realizing savings by virtue of space in admin

Marco Rodrigues

If you're wondering about whom it is we've just appointed interim, I'd recommend this 2010 column by Jackie Reis (with apologies if you run into the T&G paywall).

AND BACK: vote of interim contract

Note that this is an amendment to his current contract, which he will go back to, should he not be the person appointed permanently 

15% increase in salary for Dr. Rodrigues
transporation stipend as in current superintendent's contract
not precluded from applying for permanent position

Begins December 1; ends upon appointment of new superintendent or July 1
passes on a 5-2 vote, Biancheria and O'Connell opposed

RFP approved to be sent out
due by November 4
school committee will do screening and do community input with search firm

Worcester School Committee meets at 7 (and we're taking interim appointment out of order)

The agenda is here.

taking interim out of order

You may have heard we're having a meeting this week

The Worcester School Committee meets in public session this week at 7 (or so). We have an executive session scheduled for 6. You can find our agenda here.

We will be taking up two items in Executive Session:

• Executive session pursuant to Mass. G.L. c. 30A, Section 21(a)(2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel and contract negotiations with nonunion personnel, Superintendent’s Employment Contract.
• Executive session pursuant to Mass. G.L. c. 30A, Section 21(a)(2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel and contract negotiations with nonunion personnel, Interim Superintendent Employment Contract.

We have several groups coming in to be recognized (including the wonderfully named Spiritually Fabulous Ministries).
The section of the policy manual regarding the work of the School Committee, now on its second hold, is again on the agenda.
The report of the superintendent this week is on our alternative education programs, which has had a grant-funded outside evaluation. Should you have any interest in our programs, it's definitely worth a read.
The EAW is requesting that we open negotiations for successor contracts with Bus Drivers (Aids to the Physically Handicapped), Bus Monitors, Units A &B, Instructional Assistants, Parent Liaisons, ESL Tutors, abd OT/PT Assistants.
We're being informed a few personnel items.
The North High Alumni Association raised money for a van for the school, and so we're planning to thank them for that.
Mr. Monfredo would like to recognize the South High AP Pep Rally.
There's a conference later this month on "Human Rights and Social Studies" that some may be interested in.
We're being asked to accept a donation from Shaw's to McGrath Elementary of $400.
Mr. Monfredo is recommending that schools share best practices to improve school climate and parent involvement.
Mr. Monfredo is looking to schedule meetings with the delegation.
We're being asked to accept a donation of $250 from JVE for Tatncuk Magnet.
Mr. Foley is calling to our attention the work of the Unified Theater.
Yes, I've been selected for the 2015 the All-State School Committee...
Mr. O'Connell is requesting any update on the school security audit (which we got on Friday).
We're being asked to accept an anonymous donation of $5000 and a $100 donation from Kate Toomey to Tatnuck Magnet.
We're being asked to approve prior fiscal year payments to psychologists of $77.63 and $39.68, respectively.
Miss Biancheria would like a report on the Recovery High School.
Mr. Monfredo wants to talk about Family Literacy Month.

Finally, there are three from Mayor Petty:

• Request that the Administration ask the purchasing agent to prepare documents for a Request for Proposal for a search firm for the selection of the next Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools.
• To consider selection of Dr. Marco Rodrigues as Interim Superintendent of Schools.
• To approve the timeline for the selection of the new Superintendent of Schools.

Executive session at 6; public session scheduled for 7, at City Hall or livestreaming online.