School expert downplays division; challenges in next year noted The Arlington School Committee moved forward Sept. 4 to seek a newsuperintendent and heard differing views about the committee’ssolidarity. An official with long experience in school matters praisedthe committee’s relative strengths as a committee member raised doubtsand noted key challenges in the school year ahead.
The action was swift and unanimous. In special session, the committeevoted, 6-0 (Sue Sheffler was not present), to name a subcommittee thatwill consider how to fill the position of superintendent of schools,left vacant Aug. 7, Nate Levenson unexpectedly resigned. Named tothe panel were Denise Burns, committee chair; Jeff Thielman and LebaHeigham.
Koocher, who served on the Cambridge School Committee during the 1970s and into the early ‘80s, said Arlington is “in very good shape.” He praised teachers and urged them to “look forward and don’t look back. This is not a district that needs to be recreated.” He said it is early in the year to be weighing this issue.
He said he expected 34 districts to have changes in their superintendents in the next school year. He called it “very challenging” to fill such vacancies.
He said many districts “have gone though what you are going through.” He noted, with specifics, another district that faces a “virtually identical situation.”
Scott, who served Concord public schools for 29 years, said the questions the School Committee must face include whether the committee’s relationships are good ones. Further, he urged the committee to make sure its process provides transparency and works toward consensus.
Scott said that among 277 superintendents in Massachusetts, 60 percent have turned over in the past four years.
He forecast that Arlington could see 20 to 30 candidates attracted to the position, which he called a limited pool.
“There will be competition. Advertising in December is not too early,” Scott said.
In response to these opinions, School Committee members asked questions and commented.
Leba Heigham wanted to know what benefits are of having an interim superintendent for single year.
Koocher said, during this time, all involved in the schools tend to be on their best behavior. He added that, because of the state’s Open Meeting Law, which he said is strictly monitored in Middlesex County, the press and public keep close tabs on such situations.
Jeff Thielman asked what process they recommend if the search were a relatively quick one.
“Choose the three best candidates and make a decision,” Scott said.
As to retired superintendents as potential candidates, Scott said not all can serve; some have to wait two years. Former Superintendent Kathleen Donovan served in Arlington from 1994 to 2005.
Asking about the cost of the process, Ron Spangler was told from $15,000 to as much as $80,000, depending on whether a consulting firm is used.
Spangler, calling the School Committee “relatively inexperienced,” also asked about the importance to the process of how the committee works together. The committee has had sharp disagreements over the performance of Levenson, when he was superintendent. In accepting Kathleen Bodie as interim, the committee voted 5-2, with those dissenting (Burns and Joseph Curran) after Levenson resigned.
Scott described a free, half-year, grant-funded program called Transitions, used to improve communication among School Committee members in eight communities. Some of the committees involved were described as “dysfunctional.”
Koocher made clear that he does not think the Arlington committee should be described that way. He called the committee “high-performing.”
Spangler pointed to a series of key issues Arlington public schools face during a year when a superintendent search is underway – hiring a middle-school principal, a projected $2 million deficit, contract talks with the teachers’ union and the last year of the five-year economic plan covering town and schools.
Spangler asked: “Is it realistic that we can handle all these challenges” in the next year?
The question received no clear answer, but Koocher offered assurance that Arlington’s situation was not unique.
Curran commented at some length, including his views about the lack of experience of the former superintendent, before Burns asked him to address a question to Koocher and Scott.
Emphasizing its value, Curran asked whether experience is a good thing.
Scott answered: “It’s not clear-cut.” He said that what matters is the “fit” with the schools and community.
Addressing a general question about strengths and weaknesses of superintendent candidates, Koocher offered comments that, he said, might “get him in trouble.” He said that, in general, candidates for a top school spot in any community tend to be weak on finances and avoid legal issues with which they do not agree.
Later, after the committee voted unanimously to establish a subcommittee to work on the process, Curro asked whether Arlington should take advantage of the Transitions program.
Burns did not answer one way or another but said, “My colleagues have taken tremendous steps” toward openness in recent weeks.
Earlier, the committee’s agenda had included a half-hour closed meeting “to consider and/or interview applicants for employment for the positions of superintendent,” but that was deleted.
In response to a question from Gordon Jamieson, Burns clarified on the Arlington e-mail list Sept. 4: "There are only 8 reasons under open meeting law that we can go into executive session. "The wording that is confusing you is the specific reason spelled out exactly as it is in the Open Meeting Law.
"Our intent is that if we decide we want to hear names of retirees that may be available for the interim, we could do so in executive session. We could not do that in open session.
"But you are right, we won't be interviewing. But I have been trying to use the very specific wording of the Open Meeting Law reasons for going into executive session so that we can make sure that whatever is discussed falls under that specific reason.
"So, it's to consider potential applicants for the role of interim, but that's not how the exception is worded."
During public participation, which could address only thesuperintendent search and process, Josh Lobel, a former unsuccessfulcandidate for School Committee, said he believed it is important tohave continuity. His comments supported Bodie to continue in her roleand that voids in staffing be addressed.
Attending the meeting were an estimated 25 people, many of them teachers. Among the audience was fired Ottoson teacher Chuck Coughlin, who was greeted with hugs after the SC adjourned.
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