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Despite efforts by the mayor, a majority of the school committee, and several speakers from the community, the search for a new superintendent for the Lowell Public Schools was put on hold tonight due to a parliamentary move by school committee member Regina Faticanti. After hearing from speakers representing the Citywide Parent Council and Stand for Children, all of whom advocated for immediate action and parental input in the search process,  as well as much discussion between members, the committee voted 6-1 to support Mayor Bill Martin’s motion to move forward with the search to find a replacement for Supt . Karla Brooks Baehr. Dr. Baehr told the committee in late November that she would not seek renewal of her contract, which expires in June 2008. The mayor’s motion called for the committee to meet over the next few weeks to recommend a timeline for advertising the position, a list of criteria for applicants, and suggestions for ways to include community input in the search to replace the controversial superintendent who, in seven years, led an overhaul in curriculum and instruction that resulted in significant progress in student learning. After Faticanti voted against the motion, she changed her vote and moved that the matter be tabled for reconsideration until the next meeting. Under Roberts Rules of Order, by which the committee abides, Faticanti was able to stall any search actions until the committee’s next meeting on Dec. 19, which will be its last for this term. The new committee will not meet until Jan. 9, 2008. By delaying search efforts for another month and potentially losing qualified candidates in the process, it’s difficult to see how this maneuver will benefit Lowell children or the district’s efforts to replace Dr. Baehr with the best qualified candidate. Instead, the move appears to be politically motivated to safeguard the complete authority of the incoming committee. Other matters were also discussed at the meeting—more on that later.

I know it’s cold and once you get home, it’s hard to go out again, but tonight is the first Vision Session regarding the Hamilton Canal Project and your input is needed. The meeting will be held beginning at 5:45 pm at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack Street, 3rd floor, Veterans’ Wing, with free parking at the Davidson Street lot. Over the next 10 years, this project will include 15 acres, cost $500 million, and transform the canal area and the city’s downtown in ways we can only begin to imagine. Trinity Financial, the master developer, invites you to be part of this development process by learning more about their plans and sharing your ideas. So dress warmly, head downtown, and be part of the process—you can’t complain about how it turns out if you don’t! (I’ll be at the school committee meeting—more on that later.)