ADMINISTRATION

In the administrative area, there are several things I hope to do differently than has happened in the past. Recently the contract for the district Director of Facilities was not renewed. Shortly thereafter the job was re-advertised, and a new person is now filling that position. So, it doesn’t seem there was any significant savings to taxpayers. It was recommended by the Superintendent that the contract be approved. However, the school committee decided not to renew the contract, and the Director of Facilities left for another job. No information was given as to why the contract was not renewed because it was a “personnel” matter. If elected to the school committee, and I find the need to override a decision made by the Superintendent, I will ensure the public knows why. Of course, due to privacy concerns the whole story may not be able to be told, but at least enough information should be given to the citizens so they understand the decision.

In another personnel matter the Superintendent recommended firing the bus driver and monitor who left a four year old child on the bus. I don’t know exactly who the people are, and I would assume they weren’t bad people, as every bus driver or monitor I’ve known were committed to the students and the job. But when the school committee overrides the Superintendent again and does not fire those people. It sends a message that even though it was such a grievous oversight, there were no significant consequences. If other employees of the district see that, they will fully expect if they make a serious mistake that they wouldn’t be fired either, and probably, as a result, have a better legal argument to keep their job as well.

Ensuring that the Superintendent and his staff are competently running the school district is a critical role for the school committee. However, unless evidence to the contrary comes to light, we must trust the Superintendent to make good decisions and then support those decisions. If a track record of poor decisions becomes evident then a discussion would need to be undertaken, and a new Superintendent may be necessary. I do not see that as the case with Dr. Duva, so he should be allowed to make decisions and receive the full support of the school committee.

I truly believe in alternative paths for students who are not on a college trajectory. Recently, the administration, led by an extremely experienced and highly respected teacher, who I was privileged to know in school, brought a proposal for a new CNC machinist program to the school committee. He was questioned for hours and responded with well thought out answers for every question they had. Nevertheless, approval of the program was put off for months. The more I saw of his presentation, the clearer it became that extensive planning and preparation went into the development of this plan. The school committee pushed back on the idea, wanting a written commitment and from Electric Boat guaranteeing that they would provide funding for equipment. He and other staff members had worked closely with EB and had already gotten an unofficial commitment to help the program out. But the school committee would not approve it until EB guaranteed it would fund the equipment. This is a program that would be of enormous benefit to our students regardless of whether outside funds were provided to assist or not, and should have been funded based on its merits alone.

It’s innovative ideas like this that I would encourage wholeheartedly. I would also ask staff and students to think of other programs that would be applicable and beneficial to those students not seeking to attend college immediately after graduation. There is a huge demand for people with trade skills, these opportunities not only provide a solid career opportunity but an excellent pay scale as well. This is something I would apply significant effort to.