Braintree superintendent outlines entry plan, will participate in state induction and coaching program

Superintendent McDonald on Monday outlined an entry plan that centers on listening tours, a review of district data and frequent school visits as part of his participation in the Massachusetts New Superintendent Induction Program (NISSP).

McDonald said the plan will rely on three common entry components: an introduction and orientation, a data review and stakeholder interviews, followed by a report of entry findings that he expects to provide in late winter or early spring. He told the committee he intends to be highly visible in schools and the community, visit classrooms regularly and work with building leaders to better understand strengths and challenges across the district.

Maureen Lacroix, a retired Bedford superintendent serving as McDonald’s NISSP coach, told the committee the program is a structured, multi-year induction that combines cohort training with one-on-one coaching. Lacroix said the program emphasizes that new superintendents should be “the number one learner” in their districts during the first months on the job and focus on teaching and learning when prioritizing time and attention.

Lacroix described the coach–superintendent relationship as confidential and said the NISSP process culminates in an entry report (generally published in late winter or early spring) that summarizes initial findings about strengths and areas for improvement. McDonald said that report will form the basis for any future strategic planning work.

The superintendent listed the data sources he will review: the district strategic plan, department and school improvement plans, capital-improvement documents, school handbooks, class-size data, special-education program evaluations and collective-bargaining agreements. He also said he will conduct interviews with school leaders, teachers, students, parents, community members and town officials.

Committee members asked for regular updates on facilities and other ongoing work. McDonald said he already meets weekly with facilities staff and agreed to share key facilities findings with the committee on a regular basis as the entry work proceeds.

The committee did not take formal action on the entry plan during the meeting; McDonald said the formal report of entry findings will be presented to the committee after several months of data review and interviews.