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As the fur begins to fly in the Superintendent search process, it might be helpful to take a step back and hear what others are saying.  I was listening to WUML on Tuesday morning when Attorney Michael Gallagher was co-host and Jackie Doherty was a guest, you can listen here (by the way, they are doing a great job getting the taped interviews up on the website as podcasts in a timely fashion – thanks, UML!).  The talk naturally turned to the superintendent search and the advisory board that will help winnow down the prospects.  Gallagher actually chaired the Blue Ribbon Committee that, back in 2000, convened to help select the next superintendent.  I was thinking it would be helpful to look up how the committee was configured back then, but luckily Dick Howe already thought of that, see list here. The panel then was made up of 16.  Gallagher seemed concerned that there be enough diverse voices on the panel, not simply representatives of the powers that be in the city.  For a similar perspective, calling for minority and low-income parents as well as Non Profit leaders to be involved, see Victoria Fahlberg’s letter to the editor on January 10.  

Gallagher also made the point that Lowell may be at a disadvantage in the process given the way Karla Brooks Baehr has been literally forced out for reasons unrelated to her job performance.  Given that perception and the need to attract the most qualified candidate to lead our district, he felt that it was crucial to compose an advisory board with a priority on ’serious, meaningful citizen involvement.’ In other words, let’s not just go through the motions on this, let’s really involve the community – parents from diverse backgrounds whose children are at different stages in the system, Non Profit leaders who work with our most needy children and families every day, principals and teachers who have the inside view of the system and, of course, representatives from UML and MCC.  This, to me, is the core group that should be the priority in making up this committee.  Look over the two similar motions put forth to comprise the search committee (see previous post), and see if you think the priorities for membership in this group are straight. Sure, 16 may have been an unwieldly number, but to me that would be better than excluding people with a real stake in the matter. 

The personnel subcommittee will discuss makeup of a citizens screening committee for the superintendent search on Monday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m., in conference rooms on the second floor of school headquarters on 155 Merrimack Street. The meeting is open to the public. At last night’s school committee meeting, the first of the new term, several citizens spoke about the need for more parent, minority, and nonprofit representation on the citizen’s screening committee, as well as a principal representative. The speakers were referring to two similar motions regarding makeup of the screening committee: For the actual text of those motions, see Jan. 8 post “New board to discuss search process.” Both motions were referred to the personnel subcommittee for further discussion before a decision is made at the formal school committee meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 16, in Council Chambers. In hindsight, I think it would have been better to have some discussion last night and I wish I had pushed it, but the approach to refer the motions to subcommittee is a standard practice, and I do not see it as an attempt to keep things from the public (as implied on LiL and Dick Howe’s blog). As the mayor stated, members heard citizens’ concerns last night and welcome continued input from as many stakeholders as possible as we go forward with this very important decision. Given the immediacy of Monday’s meeting, televising it will probably not be an option. Going forward, however, my sense is there will be a real attempt to schedule future meetings and interviews so that television coverage is available. Regardless of camera presence, these government meetings, as they have functioned for decades, will all be open to the public, and full citizen participation is not only welcome, it’s vital.

This news just in from high school headmaster Bill Samaras: Tomorrow morning at 6:35 a.m., there will be a segment highlighting the Lowell High School Air Force Jr. ROTC program on Fox 25 News. Fox will also be at LHS tomorrow night to broadcast live from the gym during their 5-6 p.m. news hour as part of their Friday night school series. Fox will be interviewing students and coaches from the Lowell Girls Varsity Basketball team just before they face off against Andover at 7 p.m. This should be a great game: Except for an earlier loss against Andover, the Lowell team remains undefeated. Fans are encouraged to see players and coaches interviewed live on TV and come down to the gym for the 7 p.m. game to cheer them on!

Jackie and I just spent a couple of hours down at Lowell Telecommunications at an orientation session where we learned about the benefits of membership and the classes they offer.  It was interesting and informative. The staff are eager to talk about what LTC has to offer and to help guide new members in taking advantage of their services.  If you want to find out more, you can attend another (free) session tonight, at their office at 246 Market Street, beginning at 6:00 pm.  You don’t have to be a member to attend the session. If you do decide to join, you can attend the Annual Meeting (next Wednesday, January 16, 6 pm at the Wannalancit Mills first floor Conference Room). It’s a potluck dinner and awards ceremony and a good way to meet the other members, staff and board of directors.

One thing we learned today is that LTC offers streaming video of all the government meetings (City Council, Sub committees, School Committee, etc.) on their website.  So, if you can’t attend or catch a meeting on TV, you can watch it on your computer at your convenience.

Once again, the Lowell Sun has twisted facts, ignored reality, and taken a shot at the schools—all under the pretext of an editorial about establishing “a first-rate screening committee.” Response to the search process for a new superintendent will be in a later post. For now, my focus is the cynical, unfairly negative view this paper presents about our schools. The article claims Lowell’s per pupil expenditure is $3,666 above the state average—a discrepancy I couldn’t verify on the Mass. DOE website. From my research, the state average was only $400 less than Lowell, and when compared to other urban districts (see table below), the city’s spending is similar. Also annoying was the editor’s harshly negative conclusion about the results of all this spending. The editorial fails to mention facts that demonstrate progress in the schools, such as 29% more Lowell students scored advanced or proficient on MCAS in 2007 than in 2005, while 18% more moved up from failing. Or that Lowell was one of only three urban districts statewide to have 50% or more of its high school students score proficient or advanced on MCAS. Many of our students are poor, learn English as a second language, and score lower on tests than kids in Weston, for example, where they spend about $3,000 more per student. Yet, the Sun ignores this reality, uses facts selectively, and refuses to compare fairly. Obviously there is need for continued improvement, but why is the school glass always empty for the only paper in town? 

Urban School Districts Per Pupil Expenditure (2006)

Tomorrow is the first meeting of the new Lowell School Committee. A key item on the agenda is a motion proposing a process for hiring a new superintendent–actually there are two similar motions by different school committee members (for more on that, see Sunday’s Column). Both motions call for creating a screening committee of community members to interview candidates. There are, however, differences regarding the number and makeup of the screening committee as well as other factors in the process. As with all school committee meetings, tomorrow’s agenda includes an opportunity for public participation on any agenda item. To speak at a school committee meeting, you must register by 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting by calling the superintendent’s office at 978-937-7614. Current Supt. Karla Brooks Baehr, whose contract expires in June, is not seeking renewal of her contract. She was interviewed yesterday as one of three finalists for the State Commissioner of Education position. Hiring a new superintendent is the most important task facing the new school committee and will impact the education of Lowell’s 14,000 public schoolchildren for years to come. For the actual wording of the two motions on the proposed search process, check:  more »

Tune into WUML, 91.5 FM, tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. to hear Jackie with Bob Ellis and guest co-host Attorney Michael Gallagher. They’ll be discussing the schools, the upcoming superintendent search, and education issues in general. If you miss the segment, you can catch it during the rewind portion of the show from 9:00-10:00 a.m. 

Mimi’s post on LiL yesterday talks about, among other things, improving recycling efforts in Lowell, which would save the city trash fees and be good for the environment.  I just got back from a trip to California where we spent a few days on Mammoth Mountain. One thing that immediately struck me about this huge ski resort was the concentrated focus on recycling. Every trash container included separate bins for recycling cans, paper, and plastic, as well as significant signage making folks aware of their responsibility to diminish waste. This is not unique to California. I also noticed it at UMass Amherst last spring, where the cafeteria trash containers featured recycling bins right next to them. Contrast that to Lowell, where the schools, theaters, cafes, restaurants, and streets only provide trash disposal receptacles—no containers for recycling—even if you want to do it. I’ve also heard that Worcester, a sister city to Lowell in many ways (except bigger), manages to recycle 50% of its waste while we coast along recycling only 10%. City and school leaders should work together to aggressively improve recycling, and here are a few ways to start: First, provide the receptacles and pick up necessary for public buildings and along busy streets. Second, make it mandatory for businesses to participate and support their efforts to do so, and third, conduct a comprehensive public awareness campaign to make Lowell citizens aware of the importance of recycling. As a city with a history of initiative, innovation, and partnership, it is unacceptable that we don’t take the lead on this important economical and environmental issue.

I loved the new play at the Merrimack Repertory Theatre, 2 Pianos 4 Hands by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt, which opened tonight to a packed house. Judging by the quick standing ovation and cheers from the audience, I wasn’t the only one. The musical comedy is worth braving the cold to see and runs until Jan. 27, but don’t wait to get your tickets. (The rest of this weekend is already sold out.)  The play is a fun-loving romp that includes live musical performances spanning Beethoven and Chopin to “Great Balls of Fire” and “Benny and the Jets.” The laugh-out-loud antics and facial expressions of the two talented piano-playing actors (not an easy find) were exceptional in the context of their often hilarious, intense piano feuding. For anyone who has ever played an instrument, taken lessons, or forced someone else to take lessons, this journey will especially resonate. Ultimately, as with most good art of whatever form, there is a universal truth about the human condition that speaks to us all. To experience that truth together, amid laughter and the wonderful sounds of two grand pianos, was well worth the price of a ticket, and I can’t think of a better way to spend a January evening.

Bad enough to leave sunny southern California and return to Lowell in time for a New Year’s Day storm, but to wake up this morning to icy temperatures in the single digits was too much. (We all came down with nasty head colds and coughs too, which didn’t help our transition back to New England.) No wonder Massachusetts is losing residents! Who in their right mind chooses to live here? Okay, I know there are a lot of us—hearty types with a penchant for pain and ruggedness.  We can take the icy winds stinging our faces, watering our eyes, and slicing through our clothing. We’re tough. The way I figure it, it’s the people who keep us here—friends and family, and authentic folk who are not afraid to be themselves. On that note, I’d like to remind you to be a person who shares warmth by helping others when you can. One way is to take coats you don’t wear or that don’t fit your kids anymore and bring them to Anton’s Cleaners. They also take scarves, mittens, and hats. Anton’s will clean them and get them to area shelters and distribution centers where they can be put to good use keeping someone warm.  It’s also a good excuse to clean out your closets, but don’t delay: baby, it’s cold outside today, so share the warmth now! According to their website, Anton’s will be collecting Coats for Kids until Jan. 15.