School committee accepts superintendent's summative evaluation as report of progress

The Lowell School Committee on Sept. 17 accepted and placed on file the superintendent's overall summative evaluation as a report of progress, noting the committee's collective scores landed between the categories "needs improvement" and "proficient." The motion was made by School Committee member Miss Martin and seconded by Miss Doherty; the vote was 6 in favor, 1 absent.

"My recommendation would be that we accept the evaluation as a report of progress," Miss Martin said, recommending the committee reflect the results as "needs improvement/proficient" because the committee's scores averaged about 2.5 between the two categories.

During discussion several members elaborated on their specific concerns. School Committee member Lay said he felt the superintendent should show stronger, more decisive leadership: "I don't feel the strong, leadership personality as a superintendent versus when you were the principal," Lay said, adding the comment reflected his overall impression and not a single incident. Lay and others said they wanted clearer decision-making during district reorganization and on operational matters.

Other members raised concerns about school-level issues they tied to leadership, including discipline consistency and an "open campus" at Lowell High School; one member cited the high school's accountability percentile as low and said leadership choice and development merit attention. Miss Martin and other supporters of the motion said they have seen progress but that substantive areas need continued focus.

The committee also noted that individual member scores and comments are posted in the meeting materials for public review. The motion accepted the evaluation as a progress report rather than as an unequivocal rating of "proficient" or "needs improvement" alone.