Sunday, May 3, 2015

A Few More Thoughts on a Certain Decision by our Superintendent

I read with interest a Letter to the Editor in the News Trib.  My first question is, why do most letters to the editor in Waltham start with "As a lifelong Waltham citizen…."?  As a non-lifelong Waltham citizen with lots of friends who are lifers and just as many who are Breezers, I really don't see how that adds or detracts from one's observations on and thoughts about a topic.  Maybe all my Waltham peeps can let me in on the secret.  Certainly with the current issue of the non-renewal of the the McDevitt Middle School principal's contract, I would think that lifelong residents would be more inclined to side with the principal, who is herself a lifelong resident, rather than our current superintendent, who has never made any attempt to connect with the Waltham community.

These questions came to me as I was reading that letter as well as the responses to my last blog post:

  • What is the role of the superintendent of schools in dealing with alleged assaults, staff firing, and alleged bullying incidents?  I call these incidents 'alleged' not because I don't believe them, but because our system of justice states that an accused person is innocent until proven guilty.
  • If there is evidence that the principal at the McDevitt school was not dealing with alleged incidents appropriately, wouldn't it be incumbent on the superintendent to provide the principal with training and resources so that she could appropriately manage them?
  • What is the succession plan?  If the principal at the McDevitt is so terrible -- in fact, the worst of any principal in the district -- and there is documentation to support this, what happens in September?  Right now, there are two assistant principals at the McDevitt: one is an interim and the other is preparing for maternity leave.  So, that leaves us in September with a brand new superintendent and no principal and one interim assistant principal.  Keep in mind that, in addition to the 6th graders from the Stanley and the Whittemore, the students from the Fitzgerald will be there in the fall.  Those incoming sixth graders have never had a principal for more than two years: Shull in K, MacInnis in first, LaRoche for 2nd and 3rd, Castelline in 4th, and now Santillo.  Yes, MacInnis and Castelline were interims, however, does anyone else here see a trend with inability to manage direct reports?  Turnover at the principal level has also plagued the Whittemore School.  And let us not forget that there has been significant turnover at the superintendent level, too. 
  • How will the Waltham Public Schools attract strong leaders with a record like that?
  • What is the reasoning for the non-renewal of the contract?  Given that a new superintendent starts in two months, why not allow him to make such critical decisions regarding his team?  That is, unless the McDevitt principal was caught with a pack of matches and a can of gasoline trying to burn down the school, what is so urgent that it can't wait?  If it's the timing of the contract, then why not just give an extension and allow the incoming superintendent to assess and make the determination?
Many many parents and students will attend the School Committee meeting on Wednesday in support of Beth Gavin.  Again, I ask the School Committee to take a vote of no confidence in the Superintendent and to ask her to renew Ms. Gavin's contract.

28 comments:

  1. Didn't you blog on April 11, "The Superintendent is, with all due respect, a lame duck, so she can afford to put on the big girl pants and make a decision."

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    1. PS Thanks for being such a dedicated reader of my little blog!

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  2. @wvet Yep. And she still hasn't come up with any sort of a workable solution to redistricting or space utilization either. So, she can't manage her personnel and she can't manage her facilities.

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  3. She has both a workable solution for space and personnel. Some people just don't like it. :)

    I like your blog. My only suggestion is that you try to adjust the logic in it. You have valid goals and/or issues, however, your logic and some of your statements do your argument a disservice. For example, either allege the incident or allege the perpetrator but it is confusing to do both. Additionally, you keep using the false argument that you can use the term alleged because someone isn't found guilty is just silly. Using your logic then an unsolved murder is alleged which is not the grounds on which to build a sound logic argument. Just my suggestion.

    For the record, my son went to McDevitt for a year and a half. I am now homeschooling him. The middle schools of Waltham have some real challenges regardless of the principal. MCAS scores clearly demonstrate the issues.

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    1. Thanks @wvet. I'll tighten up the language and try not to be confusing. I didn't want to muddy my main point, which is that Beth Gavin has been treated unfairly. I am sure that all sorts of incidents happen on a daily basis at all of the schools in the district and yet other principals are not subject to the same treatment. Thanks again.

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    2. @liz humphreys McCarthy how do you in fact know that Beth Gavin has been treated unfairly? Do you have access to her personal records the include her evaluations? How do you know that the incident sited was only one of many issues that were brought up? There was a face book post from a staff member that stated most staff members were unhappy with her leadership. What facts do you have that Nicholson lacks management skills? Do you work directly for her? When in fact I would argue that most of the people that work for her think she is smart hard working driven leader, that deals with facts and has in fact done numerous things to improve the district. IPADS to all middle school students, new math programs in elementary schools (long past due), new math program soon to be rolled at the middle school just to name a few initiatives. Of course this is a blog and you have a right to say what you want but you have a responsibility a blogger, parent, human being not to make false accusations.

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    3. Oh, @fedup, you are calling me out and you are citing a Facebook post as evidence? I'm sorry; I just can't respond anymore than I have. I don't like Nicholson and will not apologize for slamming her decision here. You like her: that's great. I think the iPads were frivolous; you like the iPads. The new math programs were being evaluated prior to Nicholson. She showed no leadership regarding redistricting. She showed no leadership regarding personnel management at the Fitzgerald. She showed no leadership regarding student population inequity. I am not accusing her of anything: she is making another crappy decision and the timing is very curious and poor. I am glad that you think that things will be better in September when there is no tenured leadership at the McDevitt: I couldn't disagree more. Any experienced manager would have a succession plan in place if, as you suggest, things have been so very horrible at the McDevitt for so long with rampant assaults and bullying and cell phoning girls and takeout food. However, I cannot and will not respond to you further when you quote your daughter and her friends and something that you read on Facebook. I don't have anyone's personnel records or personal records and I am not making any false accusations and I have no idea how many 'incidents' were cited. Really. Just go to the meeting tomorrow night to stand up and tell the School Committee how much you support Nicholson and her decision regarding Gavin. Wear a cloak of anonymity if you must. I cannot help you with this. It's clear we disagree. Write to the School Committee; write to the Mayor; call Nicholson (she'd probably be happy to hear from you.) Start a blog. Start a petition. Stand on the corner of School and Church with a sign that says "Buh-bye." May the force be with you.

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    4. @liz --
      1. I think this should have your original blog post not the evil/bad one. It is a reasoned dialog on why you disagree with the Super's decision especially the part where she was unable to acquire a steady principal and not just at Fitz but at Whittemore too.
      2. I am not sure anyone has said there are "rampant assaults". My son told me about one. To exaggerate someone's statement does your argument a disservice.




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  4. If your children currently do not attend this school how can you comment about what type of principal she is or she is not? You have no first hand knowledge about what kind of leader she is or is not.

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  5. @Fedup. Please quote me where I have commented about what type of leader she is? I have not. But for the record -- my child went to McDevitt in Fall 2013- Spring 2014 and Fall of 2014. I also have 2 children that will be attending McDevitt in a couple of years. I have interacted with Ms. Gavin a couple of times so I have first hand experience with how she interacts with parents. I am also a former adjunct faculty member at Northeastern University so I understand the challenges of teacher. All that said, Waltham middle schools have a real challenge. They are not keeping kids engaged. Their MCAS Math scores are horrible. Gavin's employment or lack of it is not going to change the situation. That is what I am saying.

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  6. I'm not speaking to you wvet i am speaking to Liz FYI.

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    1. @fedup: Because my kids don't currently attend the McDevitt, I can't have an opinion on the principal there? Even though I know her personally and have seen her skills and dedication as a coach and as a friend? Even though everyone I know who has a kid at the school tells me that my son will have a great 6th grade year because of the principal? I disagree. I am allowed to have an opinion. And so are you.

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  7. @Fedup -- Sorry about that. :)
    Then you make a very good point. @Liz -- what do you have to say to @Fedup's point?

    @Fedup (one suggestion -- if you want to reply specifically to someone try the @

    @Fedup -- are you parent, teacher, former student?

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  8. So your speaking as her friend? Her skills and dedication as a coach have ZERO to do with what kind of principal she is. Question. Why does her niece and her friends walk around that school on her cell phone when other students cant? Why does her niece get brought in takeout by her aunt the current McDevitt Principal? Why does her niece and her friends have lunch in the conference room at times? What are things like this telling other students at this school? These are all FACTS ask any student who does go there or staff person.

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    1. @fedup Actually, this particular blog post is more critical of the Superintendent's lack of management than it is supportive of the Principal's leadership.

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    2. Hello i am Lauren Irving and I am a 13 year old, I am not sure why adults are discussing me but I won't dignify your remarks with a reply.

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    3. Why are kids reading adult blogs at 8:37 am when they should be studying? :)

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    4. Why are people mentioning me in their comments?

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    5. I didn't mention you.

      BTW -- No homework to do? Try going to khanacademy.com and study. You have MCAS coming up. McDevitt needs better MCAS scores.

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    6. I am aware you didn't mention me that was not directed to you. My MCAS scores should not effect you.

      BTW -- It is not worth fighting with a kid. This isn't any of your concern if your child doesn't even attend waltham schools anymore. Please grow up and find something better to do.

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    7. Lauren,
      I am not fighting with you. I am joking with you.

      Your MCAS scores don't affect my children. They are a reflection on the quality of the education provided the McDevitt school children. That does affect me. Just because my son is not attending this year, doesn't mean he won't attend next year.

      Additionally, I have 2 more kids that will be going there in a couple of years so the educational level of McDevitt is very important to me.

      Now about that homework you aren't doing? Or better than homework check out this learning site https://www.edx.org/school/mitx and take a course. :)

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  9. @fedup It sounds like you have information. I don't know if you're a parent or a student. However, if there are things that happen at a school where you have a connection that you find are wrong, then you should bring them up the chain of command to the Superintendent and/or School Committee. A blog is an opinion piece -- there's no editorial board and everything I say here is my opinion and is written by me. I disagree with you, however, I appreciate that you shared your opinion here.

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  10. as a parent how do you know these concerns were not brought up and this was in fact part of the reason that Mrs. Gavin contract was not renewed. All I’m saying is there are 3 sides to every story and before people start calling the current super names. I'm pretty sure when you decided to not bring someone back you better have some facts before doing so. Decision like this aren't made on a whim with no reason let's be realistic. To turn a decision made but the current leader of the school system, a decision she was every right to do, just because the current principal is your friend, into a personal attack and name calling on the superintendent is just wrong and childish.

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    1. I agree with @Fedup. To call her evil is really not called for. Unless you have factual information of malice. As a former PTO President, you should be setting the example. I think you would be bummed out if your soon to be middle schooler would call someone evil just because they do not like their decision. Let's elevate the discussion to the level worthy of the parents in Waltham.

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  11. @Liz
    You are stating that the Superintendent lacks management skills but unless you are privi to all the statements that posters like @Fedup and others bring to her attention, how can you pass judgment? This is the fundamental flaw in the argument to reinstate. There are only a few people with the knowledge as to why this non-renewal happened and only those people are able to judge whether this was appropriate or not.

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    1. @wvet My point is that Super lacks management skills if all of this stuff was going down at the McDevitt and the principal was not supported with resources and back up from her manager (the Super). That's what management is and does. Management is not standing my and allowing stuff to go down and then blaming the subordinate for it. IF, as you and @fedup state, the McDevitt was this terrible place with assaults and nieces with cell phones roaming the halls, and that that is the reason that the principal MUST be fired, then where was the Super when all this was happening? Why was it allowed to get to this point? And, even more to the point, if the principal must not come back to serve in her position, then what is the succession plan? Because I see a cluster flub in the making come September with a new Super with 2 months under his belt and 1 interim assistant principal at the school. I may need to consider homeschooling myself.

      Finally, I am ALLOWED to have an opinion. In my opinion, Nicholson STINKS and the School Committee has known it for some time and she has hung on by a thread. I am ecstatic to see her go. I just wish she could have done it without yet another controversial move. Because I am not the only one who is supporting Beth Gavin.

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    1. Nice post with very valid points. You should have kept it.

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