Arlington School Committee Evaluates Schools Superintendent

members spent the majority of Thursday evening evaluating Superintendent Kathleen Bodie, who is in her second full year as head of Arlington Public Schools.

The evaluation is based on six criteria: core competencies, educational-professional leadership, general district management, personnel management, community and public relations, and business and finance operations.

“I am talking with principals with a high degree of function in terms of leadership, Dr. Bodie is a big reason many of them came to Arlington,” said Leba Heigham, a committee member.

Each member was given two minutes to speak to each of the categories.

“When there is a meeting with groups of parents regarding , posting meeting times and having a secretary present to take minutes would be helpful,” said Kirsi Allison-Ampe, vice chair of the committee.

Several members said the decision to hire a full-time human resources director, Robert Spiegel, was a commendable choice on the superintendent’s part. They added that taking that proactive approach a step further and hiring a full-time for curriculum development and assessment, may help alleviate some of the workload they said Bodie has taken on.

One of the most noteworthy praises by the committee was Bodie’s work in finalizing contract negotiations with the .

“I want to commend Dr. Bodie for her achievement of contracts with the teachers union and several other unions that we have been working on for a long time,” Allison-Ampe said.

School Committee member William Hayner commended Bodie’s newsletter and use and advancement of technology in the district.

Member Jeff Thielman said while he appreciates the newsletter, a shorter and more frequent version would be ideal.

“I would like to see, twice a month, a communication that goes out to the public shaping the conversation for what is happening in the schools," Thielman said. "It will shape the view of the schools."

Several members made it a point to praise Bodie on the implementation of an  at  and the project to rebuild .

“She handles herself with dignity and grace," member Judson Pierce said. "She is always working, her office light is always on and her door is always open."

Some committee members said this may be the time to begin overall vision planning for the future of the district. 

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