THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, August 16, 2019 Page 3 How can he make it better? School Committee members cite areas where School Supt. DeRuosi needs improvement By Mark E. Vogler I t’s clear from last week’s workshop on the task of evaluating the performance of Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr., School Committee members rate him as “proficient” across the board in every category. The five members give DeRuosi high grades in instructional leadership, management and operations, family and community engagement and professional culture. “If I was going to give him a letter grade, I would say B-plus,” School Committee Chair Jeanette Meredith said in an interview this week. “I think he’s made a lot of great strides in a short time. He’s not just building a new school. He’s reconfiguring the education … Do I think he’s doing a good job? Yes. But there is always room for improvement,” she said. But, it is by no means a perfect score. In her evaluation of the superintendent, Elizabeth Marchese raises concerns about instructional leadership. “Though goals have been set and programs put in place for the next academic year, based on our academic achievement rate presently his performance needs improvement.” She also believes that DeRuosi can do better in the area of family and community engagement. “Communications with families can vastly improve. I would like to see more interaction with our older students and their families. I would also like to see more consistency and transparency in the handling of controversy.” Linda Gaieski cited curriculum as an area within the standard of instructional leadership where she believes that DeRuosi can improve. “This goal is in its infancy and needs to be ongoing,” Gaieski wrote. “Would like to see regular updates and check-ins on its progress. It is a priority for the system this year,” she said. Gaieski said the superintendent needs improvement in the area of “shared vision” and “managing conflict” within the standard of professional culture. She called the vision “a work in progress.” while also noting “significant progress being made.” She noted that managing conflict was a difficult task for DeRuosi. “Dr. DeRuosi has an insurmountable challenge in this area due to dissension among committee members and the aftereffects of attempting to change a culture with some unpopular decisions that were necessary to improve student achievement,” Gaieski said. Lisa Morgante noted there is “always room for improvement” in the areas of professional practice and student learning. Morgante said the superintendent needs to spend more time at the High School. As for student learning, Morgante said that while she hopes the district is headed in the Its a Marina Dance Party all weekend! right direction, “Everyone needs to embrace this process (teachers, students and administrators).” There are no letter grades within the School Committee’s evaluation process. Everything is judged within the context of whether the superintendent fails to meet the committee goals that have been set, meets or exceeds his goals. And there is even disagreement among some members over how the goals are set. “Given the goals set at the beginning of this evaluation cycle, it appears that we as a committee have no alternative but to rate Superintendent DeRuosi as proficient,” Marchese wrote. “These goals were overly broad when reflecting back and more stringent task specific goals will be set for the upcoming evaluation cycle. Plans for improvement are in place, but it is the follow through that will need to be closely monitored by future committee members,” she said. Committee Member Marc Magliozzi agreed the superintendent performed “proficient,” based on the goals that were set. “Going forward, I will recommend more specific goals that have supportive data,” Magliozzi stressed. “I believe he is working with the administration for accountability, but want to know how it flows: to teachers and ultimately student achievement. Our consumer should always be the student and education,” he said. 3 Locations Saugus Groceria, 190 Main Street 781-231-9599 West End, Boston, 75 Blossom Court 617-227-6141 Seaport Boston, 1 Park Lane 857-366-4640 Friday, August 16 at 9 PM DAVE MACK Saturday, August 17 at 9 PM DJ LOGIK Sunday, August 18 at 9 PM DJ LOGIK MONDAY'S SHUCK! $1.00 Oysters SUNDAY BRUNCH BUFFET Only $19.95 / 11am-2pm Featuring Al Whitney Jazz Band BOOK YOUR NEXT FUNCTION WITH US * GIFT CARDS AMPLE FREE www.marinaatthewharf.com 543 North Shore Rd. Revere 781-629-3798 PARKING AMAZING WATER VIEWS dine drink gather enjoy Friday, August 16 at 9 PM STOMPING MELVIN Saturday, August 17 at 9 PM VINYL GROOVE Friday, August 23 at 9 PM Boston's Rock Royalty NERVOUS EATERS Saturday, August 24 at 9PM Direct from Las Vegas THE ULTIMATE ALDEAN EXPERIENCE Friday, August 30 at 9 PM Back by Popular Demand... STAR 69 Coming September 14th Boston's legendary.. PREPARED FOODS BUTCHER SHOP THE BAKERY STOMPERS Advance Tickets Now on Sale at: www.breakawaydanvers.com 221 Newbury Street, Danvers For Tickets call (978) 774-7270 or www.breakawaydanvers.com
4 Publizr Home