Superintendent search to commence
The city council chambers were pretty full for a snowy evening in December as concerned citizens attended the last school committee meeting of the year. The issue that brought people out tonight was the stymied process for finding a new superintendent of schools. Several Stand for Children members spoke first, all urging that the job opening be posted immediately so as to take advantage of the school vacation break in order to attract the most qualified pool of applicants. They also requested that parents, business leaders, educators and other representatives of our diverse community be given a voice in the selection process. They were supported by Victoria Fahlberg, Executive Director of OneLowell, and Anita Downs, chair of the Citywide Parent Council. Connie Martin stated that, by not immediately posting the job description, “we are handicapping the school committee, the district and our future.” As Kevin McHugh put it, this is just Step 1 of the process, it’s not step 3 or 4. It was Mr. McHugh’s last meeting and he spoke strongly about his “disappointment with the political maneuvering” (see previous post) that had delayed the process. After some discussion, the motion by Connie Martin to immediately post the position was passed with only Regina Faticanti voting against.
A timetable for the selection process was also approved. The timetable calls for the search to close by February 1, and a new superintendent to be selected by April, which reaffirms the majority position that time is of the essence. In early January (possibly at the January 9 school committee meeting), the committee will ‘deterimine the composition and role of a Blue Ribbon/Advisory committee. This provision will allow community input as the candidates are interviewed. Parents with whom I spoke after the meeting were concerned with how this committee will be set up and how diverse it will be; however, at least the first step, that of advertising the provision, will have been taken.