Framingham School Committee Awards High Grades to Its Superintendent

Framingham School Superintendent Stacy Scott, who is in his second year of a three-year contract, received high grades from the Framingham School Committee Tuesday night.

Scott received an overall combined rating of 3.5 out of 4, with three meaning proficient and 4 exemplary.

He was awarded a ranking of 2.6 on a 3-point scale for his impact on student learning.

Framingham School Committee Chair Beverly Hugo read the public review Tuesday night.

It was a composite review from the seven School Committee members as of April 1, which included former School Committee member Carol Phalen and David Miles.

Scott is a  "visionary and an exemplary educational leader and role model who, in his short 20 month tenure in the Framingham Public Schools, has created an infrastructure that supports high quality teaching and learning and one that infuses rigor and relevance. District innovation and improvement has rapidly begun to move the district forward."

The Framingham School District is rated a level 3 district by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Conmonwealth uses a five-level scale, ranking the highest performing in Level 1 and lowest performing in level 5.

Half of Framingham's 12 schools are level 3. The district's only level 1 school is Dunning Elementary. Hemenway was downgraded to level 2 this past year.

Scott "has a very aggressive and proactive approach to addressing increased achievement in the district," reads the review. "He has reviewed and analyzed the challenges from the DESE review and has developed plans to tackle them."

"Our superintendent is a forward thinking leader who sets expectation based on real data," reads the review. "Scott is an ethical man whose drive for equity in the district is impressive. He has shored up various policies regarding legal and ethical standards. He works with integrity and honesty."

The review states "we are impressed with his erudite demeanor, professionalism in conversing and communication with the public and the press, and his clarity and skill in making public presentations. He proves persuasive, yet not overbearing, authoritative yet personable."

The new, multi-step review was made public Tuesday at 9:59 p.m., before an empty audience of the School Committee. This was the first year the Framingham committee had used the new review system, adopted by the Commonwealth last year.

One thing the review suggested Scott work to improve is his communication with the Committee, the community and with families. The review specifically mentioned "regular social media communication."

Despite that recommendation, he received a 3.3 rating out of 4 for "family and community engagement."

"Scott has been a positive, visible force in the community," reads the review. "His ability to shift plans for a grade 5 move to middle school to a new plan (opening the King Elementary School) showed flexibility, a genuine concern for community sentiment, foresight and excellent follow-thorough."

The Committee listed as an "opportunity" for Scott to "place a careful emphasis on recruiting and mentoring the best possible candidates (internal and external) for senior leadership positions. The entire staff should feel empowered and supported to drive student achievement."

Since Scott started as Superintendent in July 2012, he has had to replace the Stapleton principal position twice and Wilson Elementary, Fuller Middle, Walsh Middle (still in progress), Cameron Middle and Framingham High principals. Not one position went to an internal candidate, although some were finalists.

The School Committee rated Scott 3.4 out of 4 in meetings their goals set for the Superintendent.

"Scott's exemplary leadership is substantive, logical, through, thoughtful and driven by data analysis and sound judgment," reads his review. "From exploring the addition of Chinese language instruction through grants, to ensuring a thoughtful review in all subjects and assessments, adding K-12 department heads in all subjects, strengthening of the critical social/emotional supports of all students, and a strong focus on supervision and evaluation to ensure that all teachers are energized and supported to deliver the best to students, Dr. Scott is bringing a strong level of urgency to student instruction."

In regards to "management and operations" the Committee awarded Scott a rating of 3.4 out of 4, with 3 being proficient and 4 being exemplary.

"Scott's ideas and implementations of outcomes-based, district-wide procedures and systems show great thought, skill and measurement," reads his review. "He has placed emphasis on ensuring that his staff worked hard reinforcing and publicizing our Title IX policies to further fortify the district's practices."

The review stated Scott "has an excellent grasp of funding, mandates and how they relate to the school system. Dr. Scott's team has developed a multi-year financial plan to compliment and support his multi-year educational plan, as well as a multi-year capital plan to address the infrastructure needs and the enrollment at the elementary level."

The School Committee approved the review 5-0, with new Committee members Jim Stockless and Michelle Brosnahan abstaining.

Before the School Committee meeting started at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Hugo said the Committee has begun closed door negotiations with Scott, on a new 3-year contract.

Scott makes a base salary of $200,000 under his originally contract inked in March 2012.

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Framingham parents and community members, on a scale of 1 to 4, with 4 excellent and 1 poor, what would you rate Superintendent Scott?