Board narrows superintendent-evaluation scoring rubric, agrees to halves and to finalize instrument in August

The Martin County School Board spent extensive workshop time on Aug. 5 fine-tuning the scoring rubric for the superintendentevaluation instrument.

Board members differed over whether to allow arbitrary decimals (for example, 2.7) or to limit ratings to whole numbers or half-points. Miss Powers and several colleagues argued for a clearer mapping between the numeric average and the descriptive rating categories. After discussion the board agreed on a revised rubric range: unsatisfactory 0.0to 0.9, needs improvement 1.0—.9, effective 2.0'.4 and highly effective 2.5—.0. The board also agreed to permit half-point ratings (for example, 1.5 or 2.5) within the scoring instrument.

Board members emphasized consistent application of the scale across evaluators and discussed whether certain low ratings should require mandatory comments. The consensus was that comments should be mandatory for needs-improvement and unsatisfactory ratings; comments for other ratings remain discretionary. The board asked staff to revise the instrument and bring the final version to the August meeting for approval.

Superintendent John Maine said domain 7 of the instrument is still under development and invited board members to meet individually with him about evaluation priorities; he also thanked staff who helped prepare a sample tool intended to reflect board input and to reward district and school ratings.

No formal vote was recorded on the rubric at the workshop; the board directed staff to update the instrument consistent with the discussion and to return it for final approval at the August meeting.