WATERTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION
School Committee Summary
2009-2010

The following is a summary of the Superintendent’s evaluation for the 2009 - 2010
school year. This summary reflects seven individual evaluations, with a focus on each of
the categories. The strength of any evaluation between a manager and a subordinate lies
in the discussion between the two parties: in an understanding of what the strengths and
weaknesses of the individual’s job performance are, and in suggested action plans to help
correct any deficiencies. It is my job to give you an overall summary. I will not give a
detailed synopsis of each School Committee member’s evaluation. These evaluations are
a matter of public record, and if anyone in the public would like more detail, they are
welcome to visit Central Office to access this information.

The following is my summation:

Goal No. 1 - Educational Leadership

Success is measured by continuous academic improvement and overall achievement in

the Watertown Public Schools. Success in extracurricular activities is measured by
individual and team progress as well as by the degree of participation.

Objective A: Clearly articulates a vision of continuous improvement in student

learning and works with administrative staff to communicate that vision throughout
the district.
The Committee evaluation ranged from needs improvement to outstanding with the
majority feeling the Superintendent meets expectations.

Comments:
The Committee as a whole felt that the Superintendent works very hard in this area and
has set a clear vision for the District. She is relentless in maintaining and pushing her
vision of academic improvement, emphasizing the need for the development of using 21st
Century Skills to her staff and the district. Some members felt that the Superintendent has
struggled to get this message out to the community and the rest of the district. The
Superintendent needs to find a way to get through some of the road blocks she has
encountered in getting her message out to the district. She needs to get more people
involved in getting out the message and the vision.

Objective B: Sets high expectations for administrators, staff, and students; actively
promotes continued improvement; develops plans to achieve these expectations and
improvements.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from needs improvement to
outstanding with the majority feeling she has met expectations.

Comments included:
The Committee was divided in their measurement of the Superintendent for this
objective. Some members felt she has performed very well and she has been relentless in
raising the bar for the entire District. Some members felt that the Superintendent has done
a good job in trying to get the entire District on board. The Superintendent has
encountered some road blocks that she has been unable to over come. As an example of
her way of promoting continued improvement, Committee members acknowledged the
work done with the various task forces that the Superintendent has initiated throughout
the District. She has been very inclusive in trying to get everyone within the District on
board.

Objective C: Develops a skilled leadership team committed to improvements in

student learning, to fostering continuing professional learning and leadership within
the faculties, and to collaborative goal setting and problem solving.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from meets expectations to
outstanding in regard to this objective. Most members felt the Superintendent has met
expectations with this objective.

Comments:
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent has done a good job related to this
objective. The outcome of some of her decisions cannot be measured until this coming
year. Most members felt the choices she has made in the new Headmaster and Associate
Headmaster are very good choices. This is an area that will be better measured in the next
cycle.

Objective D: Provides for the ongoing renewal of curriculum to ensure alignment

with state standards and adaptation.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent meets expectations in this area or is
outstanding with this objective.

Comments:
The Committee was very pleased with the continued work done with the various Task
Forces focusing on curriculum. Comments mentioned how the Superintendent handled
the changes made with the expansion of the Armenian language program with the
creation of the ArMedia course, and the Bio-medical course offered in conjunction with
Mount Auburn Hospital. The Superintendent’s continuous focus on individualized
instruction was an example mentioned by Committee members as a key component of the
ongoing renewal of the curriculum and its alignment with State standards.

Objective E: Focus the system on teaching and instructional improvement to ensure

the diverse learning needs of students.

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The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from outstanding to needs
improvement with most members feeling that the Superintendent has met expectations in
regard to this objective.

Comments
The Committee felt the Superintendent’s focus on resources for the classroom, and her
focus on technology and professional development, demonstrates her commitment to
insure that the diverse learning needs of students are met.

Objective F: Provides for the professional development of all personnel to support

continued growth and improvement.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent is outstanding or meets expectations in
regard to this objective.

Comments
The Committee felt that professional development continues to be a strength of the
District. Comments by Committee members included praise for the Professional
Development Council, which has reinvigorated the Professional Development Program.
The inclusion of the staff in planning and delivery has paved the way to more diverse
programs that have given the staff many opportunities to improve their skills.

Objective G: Develops systems of assessment to measure district/schools success and

to track student achievement and communicates this to community.
For the most part, the Committee concluded that this is an area that meets expectations or
needs improvement. The majority of members feel that this is an area that needs
improvement.

Comments:
Some comments focused on the need for more clearly defined areas of assessment. This
has been an ongoing concern for many years, and the Superintendent has been very open
to and supportive of finding a solution to these issues. Members felt we need to continue
the search to develop a better way to report to the public as too how the District is
performing in comparison to other districts.

Objective H: Develops and sustains a variety of extracurricular opportunities for

Watertown students.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranges from meets expectations to
outstanding. Most felt the Superintendent meets expectations in this area.

Comments from the Committee:

The Committee commented on the success of the Robotics program, the expansion of the
athletic programs (lacrosse program) in tough budgetary times, and the continuation of
the High School newspaper.

Objective I: Provides programs that foster respect for differences at all levels in the
school district.

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The Committee concluded that the Superintendent is outstanding or meets expectations in
this area.

Comments:
All members believe strongly that the Superintendent is committed to fostering respect
throughout the district at all levels. Her work within the anti- bullying program and the
continued commitment to respect for differences throughout the district were highlighted.

Goal No. 2 - System and Personnel Management

Success is measured by the development, implementation, and administration of sound

personnel policies; planning and goal setting systems; accurate budgeting, forecasting,
and reporting; facilities planning and management.

Objective A: Develops, implements, and oversees fair personnel policies and

procedures, including the recruiting and hiring of the most highly qualified
candidates.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from outstanding to needs
improvement. The majority felt that the Superintendent meets expectations with this
objective.

Comments:
As examples of meeting expectations, the Committee commented on the successful
recruitment and hiring of highly qualified teachers and administrators.

Objective B: Develops and implements fair and accurate evaluation systems for all
personnel that hold staff accountable for their job performance consistent with their
job descriptions and goals of the school system.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from needs improvement to
meets expectations. Some members felt that they could not determine or measure the
Superintendent in this area.

Comments:
Most Committee members felt that this area was a work in process that will require some
further cooperation from the various unions within the district in order to be adequately
addressed.

Objective C: Provides for a long-range strategic planning process that involves key
stakeholders to set strategic directions and develops yearly action plans to support the
directions and monitor results.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from needs improvement to
outstanding. The majority of the Committee felt this is an area that needs improvement.

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Comments:
Comments from the Committee focused on the fact that this is a work in process. The
Superintendent needs time to work with the Committee to start looking strategically at
the long-term needs of the school system. Other comments mentioned the conversations
the Superintendent has already started with her Leadership Team in defining long-term
needs and goals for the school system.

Objective D: Evaluates financial needs and oversees budget development and

expenditures in accordance with district priorities.
For the most part the Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from needs
improvement to outstanding in this area..

Comments:
During a very difficult budget process, the Committee applauded the Superintendent for
her focus on maintaining class sizes, along with providing resources for the classroom.
One example given was the addition of the Curriculum Coordinator at the elementary
school level. Another comment mentioned the issue at the Middle School as a major
hindrance to achieving this goal.

Objective E: Oversees budget preparation, forecasting, accounting and reporting that

ensures expenditures are within the limits approved by the School Committee barring
unforeseen circumstances.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from needs improvement to
outstanding. The majority of the Committee felt that the Superintendent needs
improvement or meets expectation.

Comments:
The comments revolved around a real need for improvement around the Superintendent’s
oversight of the budget process. The District should pursue better accounting and
forecasting systems and processes. This must be corrected to reassure the community
about the District’s budget and expenditures. Other comments focused on the hard work
that the Superintendent and her staff put in during the budget process.

Objective F: Provides for long-range facilities planning and the maintenance of safe
and educationally sound facilities for students.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from needs improvement to
outstanding.

Comments:
The Committee comments focused on the need for a better planning process, and to
working with the Town on a long-range plan. Other comments focused on the
outstanding work done by the staff, Jay Francione and the administration on their long-
range planning, and working with the Town on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

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Objective G: Administers the schools in accordance with all laws and regulations as
well as the policies of the Watertown School Committee.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent is outstanding or meets expectations in
this area.

Comments:
The Committee commented on the Superintendent’s work in actively continuing to
recommend changes to the School Committee policies to meet the School District needs.

Goal No. 3 - Communications and Public Relations

Success is measured by a productive working relationship with other town departments

and town officials, and constructive partnerships with parents, the community and outside
agencies.

Objective A: Cooperates with other town departments and officials while representing
the best interests of the school system.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from needs improvement to
outstanding in this area. The majority of the Committee felt this was an area that needs
improvement.

Comments
The Committee comments stated that this was an area in which the Superintendent has
struggled with. In some instances, the Superintendent and the District have forged some
very good relationships with some Town Department heads. Other comments mentioned
that this has to be a team effort of both the Committee and the Superintendent. Other
comments talked about the Superintendent’s effort to build bridges in this area.

Objective B: Works with principals and with other staff in developing systems for
constructive parent involvement.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranges from meets expectations to
outstanding in regard to this objective:

Comments:
Comments from the Committee felt that the Superintendent has worked very hard to
reach out to parents and parent groups. Her work with the School Site councils and the
Ed Foundation were mentioned as examples of the Superintendent’s work in this area.
Improvements to the web pages were another example.

Objective C: Works cooperatively with community groups (ex. Chamber of

Commerce, Education Foundation, Rotary, Hall of Fame, League of Woman Voters,
etc.) in order to communicate school system goals and successes, and to build a strong,
positive attitude towards the school system.

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The Committee concluded that the Superintendent is outstanding or meets expectations in
this area:

Comments:
Comments indicated how well the Superintendent has worked with the Rotary Club and
other community groups such as Boston Biomedical and the Watertown Cable Access
studio. Other comments focused on the need to expand beyond the Rotary Club.

Objective D: Develops partnerships outside the school district and town that support
the goals of the system and enhance our ability to improve student learning.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent was outstanding or meets expectations
in this area. The majority of the Committee felt that the Superintendent was outstanding
in this area.

Comments:
Committee comments focused on the Superintendent’s work with EDCO and with the
Robotics program and BBN and with other groups such as Boston Biomedical and the
National Partnership for 21st Century Skills and Harvard University. Other comments
were that no Superintendent in Watertown has achieved more in this area than this
Superintendent has. The number of competitive grants received by the District was
mentioned as an example.

Goal No. 4 - Relationships with School Committee

Success is measured by effectiveness of communication with School Committee

members, effectiveness of meeting agendas with regard to the current issues; and the
respectful relationship between members and school administration.

Objective A: Works well with the School Committee Chair to establish clear direction
for the School Committee meetings by providing agenda and support materials that
allow for reasonable policy formation and decision-making; offers professional advice
and recommendations to the School Committee.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from outstanding to needs
improvement for this goal. The majority felt that the Superintendent meets expectations.

Comments:
Comments focused on how well the Superintendent works with the chair. Some other
comments mentioned getting information in a timely manner.

Objective B: Keeps School Committee members informed of important and relevant

issues and problems.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent ranged from outstanding to meets
expectations for this goal. The majority felt that the Superintendent meets expectation.

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Comments:
The School Committee felt that the Superintendent does a good job in keeping the
Committee informed. Some other comments talked about getting information in a timely
manner so that more informed discussions can occur.

Objective C: Provides and encourages two-way communication, engages in respectful

interactions and is responsive to suggestions.
The Committee concluded that the Superintendent is outstanding or meets expectations in
this area.

Comments:
The Superintendent keeps the Committee very well informed and reaches out to all
School Committee members.