Who wants to be a principal?
In Lowell, rumors fly like dandelion seeds on a windy day, spreading weeds wherever they land. A long-standing rumor that’s been reborn lately has to do with the hiring practices of the Lowell schools. There are actually two sides to the rumor: One is that Lowell residents are not being hired for school jobs; the other is that administrators do not promote from within. I’m not writing today to disprove or give credence to any of these complaints—yet. I did, however, at last Wednesday’s school committee meeting, request a report that analyzes the district’s hiring practices over the last five years. The facts from this public document will show if there is any merit to the rumors. Until then, ponder this: Few would dispute the importance of hiring the absolute best, most qualified candidate possible—regardless of geography. Most would also agree that if two qualified candidates present equally well, the local candidate should get the job. But how important should residency be? What happens if the chosen candidate moves here? (Off the top of my head, I know of four principals who have done this, as well as a recently hired teacher who bought a condo downtown.) What about the Lowell resident who worked in another district and took a position here to replace a non-resident who was promoted to principal? (Does the internal promotion of a non-resident negate the resident hire?) The report may show we need more professional development—more than the administrative apprentice and housemaster assistant programs; the reimbursable courses for credit and to prepare for licensing exams; and the paraprofessional-to-teacher program etc. It may also show, especially with principal positions, that veteran Lowell teachers don’t want these jobs because the added hours and responsibility are not worth the nominal pay increase. Or perhaps, as Mayor Martin alluded to at the meeting, the rumors may be more about sour grapes than reality. Either way, the report will give us facts we can work with, instead of baseless accusations spreading weeds across our city.