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Committee approves supervisor of attendance amid concerns about experience and oversight
Summary
The School Committee voted to approve Melissa Freeland as supervisor of attendance, a position required for court representation and attendance enforcement; members questioned the candidate’s experience, the organizational placement of the role, and whether the job description and oversight structure match the enforcement responsibilities.
The Brockton School Committee approved the hiring of Melissa Freeland as supervisor of attendance on March 17 after extended questioning about the role’s duties, reporting lines and candidate qualifications.
Committee members raised multiple concerns during the discussion. One member said the role "sits in the intersection of attendance enforcement, student accountability, and coordination with families, courts, and outside agencies" and argued it required a "seasoned professional" able to conduct home visits and handle enforcement work. Another asked how many candidates applied and who participated in interviews; administrators said the position had been posted, resumes reviewed, and interviews completed but did not supply a full applicant count in open session.
Superintendent and staff explained the position was posted as "supervisor of attendance" to align with Massachusetts General Law and would report to Shauna Gray in the Office of Unified Student Services. Staff noted the job description allows a range of backgrounds and that language capacity and court‑representation ability were part of the selection considerations; the hiring packet also included the candidate’s resume and cover letter noting prior work in court or criminal justice settings.
After discussion, the committee voted to approve the hire. The roll call recorded one dissenting vote and the motion carried. Members who opposed or questioned the hire urged the administration to ensure robust oversight and to supply additional operational detail about the attendance office as the new hire begins.
What to watch next: Committee members requested more information about the attendance office’s staffing, protocols for enforcement and how the supervisor will be supervised and held accountable. The superintendent said the administration will follow up and that the position is necessary so the district has a designated official who can attend court sessions and coordinate attendance enforcement.
