2009-2010 superintendent evaluation

8/8/2019 2009-2010 Superintendent Evaluation

1/8

WATERTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION

School Committee Summary

2009-2010

The following is a summary of the Superintendents evaluation for the 2009 - 2010

school year. This summary reflects seven individual evaluations, with a focus on each ofthe categories. The strength of any evaluation between a manager and a subordinate lies

in the discussion between the two parties: in an understanding of what the strengths and

weaknesses of the individuals job performance are, and in suggested action plans to help

correct any deficiencies. It is my job to give you an overall summary. I will not give adetailed synopsis of each School Committee members evaluation. These evaluations are

a matter of public record, and if anyone in the public would like more detail, they are

welcome to visit Central Office to access this information.

The following is my summation:

Goal No. 1 - Educational Leadership

Success is measured by continuous academic improvement and overall achievement inthe Watertown Public Schools. Success in extracurricular activities is measured by

individual and team progress as well as by the degree of participation.

Objective A: Clearly articulates a vision of continuous improvement in student

learning and works with administrative staff to communicate that vision throughoutthe district.

The Committee evaluation ranged from needs improvement to outstanding with the

majority feeling the Superintendent meets expectations.

Comments:

The Committee as a whole felt that the Superintendent works very hard in this area and

has set a clear vision for the District. She is relentless in maintaining and pushing her

vision of academic improvement, emphasizing the need for the development of using 21st

Century Skills to her staff and the district. Some members felt that the Superintendent has

struggled to get this message out to the community and the rest of the district. The

Superintendent needs to find a way to get through some of the road blocks she hasencountered in getting her message out to the district. She needs to get more people

involved in getting out the message and the vision.

Objective B: Sets high expectations for administrators, staff, and students; actively

promotes continued improvement; develops plans to achieve these expectations and

improvements.


2/8

The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from needs improvement to

outstanding with the majority feeling she has met expectations.

Comments included:

The Committee was divided in their measurement of the Superintendent for thisobjective. Some members felt she has performed very well and she has been relentless in

raising the bar for the entire District. Some members felt that the Superintendent has done

a good job in trying to get the entire District on board. The Superintendent hasencountered some road blocks that she has been unable to over come. As an example of

her way of promoting continued improvement, Committee members acknowledged the

work done with the various task forces that the Superintendent has initiated throughout

the District. She has been very inclusive in trying to get everyone within the District onboard.

Objective C: Develops a skilled leadership team committed to improvements in

student learning, to fostering continuing professional learning and leadership withinthe faculties, and to collaborative goal setting and problem solving.

The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from meets expectations tooutstanding in regard to this objective. Most members felt the Superintendent has met

expectations with this objective.

Comments:

The Committee concluded that the Superintendent has done a good job related to this

objective. The outcome of some of her decisions cannot be measured until this coming

year. Most members felt the choices she has made in the new Headmaster and AssociateHeadmaster are very good choices. This is an area that will be better measured in the next

cycle.

Objective D: Provides for the ongoing renewal of curriculum to ensure alignment

with state standards and adaptation.

The Committee concluded that the Superintendent meets expectations in this area or isoutstanding with this objective.

Comments:

The Committee was very pleased with the continued work done with the various TaskForces focusing on curriculum. Comments mentioned how the Superintendent handled

the changes made with the expansion of the Armenian language program with the

creation of the ArMedia course, and the Bio-medical course offered in conjunction withMount Auburn Hospital. The Superintendents continuous focus on individualized

instruction was an example mentioned by Committee members as a key component of the

ongoing renewal of the curriculum and its alignment with State standards.

Objective E: Focus the system on teaching and instructional improvement to ensurethe diverse learning needs of students.

2


3/8

The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from outstanding to needs

improvement with most members feeling that the Superintendent has met expectations in

regard to this objective.

Comments

The Committee felt the Superintendents focus on resources for the classroom, and herfocus on technology and professional development, demonstrates her commitment to

insure that the diverse learning needs of students are met.

Objective F: Provides for the professional development of all personnel to support

continued growth and improvement.

The Committee concluded that the Superintendent is outstanding or meets expectations in

regard to this objective.

Comments

The Committee felt that professional development continues to be a strength of the

District. Comments by Committee members included praise for the ProfessionalDevelopment Council, which has reinvigorated the Professional Development Program.

The inclusion of the staff in planning and delivery has paved the way to more diverseprograms that have given the staff many opportunities to improve their skills.

Objective G: Develops systems of assessment to measure district/schools success and

to track student achievement and communicates this to community.For the most part, the Committee concluded that this is an area that meets expectations or

needs improvement. The majority of members feel that this is an area that needs

improvement.

Comments:

Some comments focused on the need for more clearly defined areas of assessment. Thishas been an ongoing concern for many years, and the Superintendent has been very open

to and supportive of finding a solution to these issues. Members felt we need to continue

the search to develop a better way to report to the public as too how the District isperforming in comparison to other districts.

Objective H: Develops and sustains a variety of extracurricular opportunities for

Watertown students.

The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranges from meets expectations to

outstanding. Most felt the Superintendent meets expectations in this area.

Comments from the Committee:

The Committee commented on the success of the Robotics program, the expansion of the

athletic programs (lacrosse program) in tough budgetary times, and the continuation ofthe High School newspaper.

Objective I: Provides programs that foster respect for differences at all levels in the

school district.

3


4/8


this area.

Comments:

All members believe strongly that the Superintendent is committed to fostering respect

throughout the district at all levels. Her work within the anti- bullying program and thecontinued commitment to respect for differences throughout the district were highlighted.

Goal No. 2 - System and Personnel Management

Success is measured by the development, implementation, and administration of sound

personnel policies; planning and goal setting systems; accurate budgeting, forecasting,

and reporting; facilities planning and management.

Objective A: Develops, implements, and oversees fair personnel policies andprocedures, including the recruiting and hiring of the most highly qualified

candidates.


improvement. The majority felt that the Superintendent meets expectations with this

objective.

Comments:

As examples of meeting expectations, the Committee commented on the successfulrecruitment and hiring of highly qualified teachers and administrators.

Objective B: Develops and implements fair and accurate evaluation systems for all

personnel that hold staff accountable for their job performance consistent with their

job descriptions and goals of the school system.

The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from needs improvement tomeets expectations. Some members felt that they could not determine or measure the

Superintendent in this area.

Comments:

Most Committee members felt that this area was a work in process that will require some

further cooperation from the various unions within the district in order to be adequately

addressed.

Objective C: Provides for a long-range strategic planning process that involves keystakeholders to set strategic directions and develops yearly action plans to support the

directions and monitor results.


outstanding. The majority of the Committee felt this is an area that needs improvement.

4


5/8

Comments:

Comments from the Committee focused on the fact that this is a work in process. TheSuperintendent needs time to work with the Committee to start looking strategically at

the long-term needs of the school system. Other comments mentioned the conversations

the Superintendent has already started with her Leadership Team in defining long-termneeds and goals for the school system.

Objective D: Evaluates financial needs and oversees budget development and

expenditures in accordance with district priorities.

For the most part the Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from needs

improvement to outstanding in this area..

Comments:

During a very difficult budget process, the Committee applauded the Superintendent for

her focus on maintaining class sizes, along with providing resources for the classroom.

One example given was the addition of the Curriculum Coordinator at the elementaryschool level. Another comment mentioned the issue at the Middle School as a major

hindrance to achieving this goal.

Objective E: Oversees budget preparation, forecasting, accounting and reporting that

ensures expenditures are within the limits approved by the School Committee barring

unforeseen circumstances.


outstanding. The majority of the Committee felt that the Superintendent needsimprovement or meets expectation.

Comments:

The comments revolved around a real need for improvement around the Superintendents

oversight of the budget process. The District should pursue better accounting and

forecasting systems and processes. This must be corrected to reassure the communityabout the Districts budget and expenditures. Other comments focused on the hard work

that the Superintendent and her staff put in during the budget process.

Objective F: Provides for long-range facilities planning and the maintenance of safe

and educationally sound facilities for students.


outstanding.

Comments:

The Committee comments focused on the need for a better planning process, and toworking with the Town on a long-range plan. Other comments focused on the

outstanding work done by the staff, Jay Francione and the administration on their long-

range planning, and working with the Town on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

5


6/8

Objective G: Administers the schools in accordance with all laws and regulations aswell as the policies of the Watertown School Committee.

The Committee concluded that the Superintendent is outstanding or meets expectations inthis area.

Comments:The Committee commented on the Superintendents work in actively continuing to

recommend changes to the School Committee policies to meet the School District needs.

Goal No. 3 - Communications and Public Relations

Success is measured by a productive working relationship with other town departments

and town officials, and constructive partnerships with parents, the community and outsideagencies.

Objective A: Cooperates with other town departments and officials while representing

the best interests of the school system.The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from needs improvement to

outstanding in this area. The majority of the Committee felt this was an area that needsimprovement.

Comments

The Committee comments stated that this was an area in which the Superintendent hasstruggled with. In some instances, the Superintendent and the District have forged some

very good relationships with some Town Department heads. Other comments mentioned

that this has to be a team effort of both the Committee and the Superintendent. Othercomments talked about the Superintendents effort to build bridges in this area.

Objective B: Works with principals and with other staff in developing systems for

constructive parent involvement.

The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranges from meets expectations to

outstanding in regard to this objective:

Comments:

Comments from the Committee felt that the Superintendent has worked very hard to

reach out to parents and parent groups. Her work with the School Site councils and theEd Foundation were mentioned as examples of the Superintendents work in this area.

Improvements to the web pages were another example.

Objective C: Works cooperatively with community groups (ex. Chamber ofCommerce, Education Foundation, Rotary, Hall of Fame, League of Woman Voters,

etc.) in order to communicate school system goals and successes, and to build a strong,

positive attitude towards the school system.

6


7/8


this area:

Comments:

Comments indicated how well the Superintendent has worked with the Rotary Club and

other community groups such as Boston Biomedical and the Watertown Cable Accessstudio. Other comments focused on the need to expand beyond the Rotary Club.

Objective D: Develops partnerships outside the school district and town that support

the goals of the system and enhance our ability to improve student learning.

The Committee concluded that the Superintendent was outstanding or meets expectations

in this area. The majority of the Committee felt that the Superintendent was outstanding

in this area.

Comments:

Committee comments focused on the Superintendents work with EDCO and with the

Robotics program and BBN and with other groups such as Boston Biomedical and theNational Partnership for 21st Century Skills and Harvard University. Other comments

were that no Superintendent in Watertown has achieved more in this area than thisSuperintendent has. The number of competitive grants received by the District was

mentioned as an example.

Goal No. 4 - Relationships with School Committee

Success is measured by effectiveness of communication with School Committeemembers, effectiveness of meeting agendas with regard to the current issues; and the

respectful relationship between members and school administration.

Objective A: Works well with the School Committee Chair to establish clear direction

for the School Committee meetings by providing agenda and support materials that

allow for reasonable policy formation and decision-making; offers professional advice

and recommendations to the School Committee.


improvement for this goal. The majority felt that the Superintendent meets expectations.

Comments:

Comments focused on how well the Superintendent works with the chair. Some other

comments mentioned getting information in a timely manner.

Objective B: Keeps School Committee members informed of important and relevantissues and problems.

The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from outstanding to meets

expectations for this goal. The majority felt that the Superintendent meets expectation.

7


8/8

Comments:

The School Committee felt that the Superintendent does a good job in keeping the

Committee informed. Some other comments talked about getting information in a timelymanner so that more informed discussions can occur.

Objective C: Provides and encourages two-way communication, engages in respectfulinteractions and is responsive to suggestions.


this area.

Comments:

The Superintendent keeps the Committee very well informed and reaches out to all

School Committee members.

8

2009-2010 superintendent evaluation

Documents