School Committee Lauds Superintendent's Work So Far

Members of Reading's Public Schools Committee said recently that they are pleased with Dr. John Doherty's performance so far as superintendent.

Each member of the committee ranked Doherty's performance in a range of areas, including policy and governance, instructional leadership and communications and community relations.

On a four-point scale, the committee awarded Doherty scores of three or four on most performance indicators. Many of his composite ratings ranked in the high 3s, with the committee members awarding him his highest rating in the field of planning and assessment.

The committee gave Doherty his lowest mark—a composite rating of 3.1—on a Section that judged him on his success networking with state and national officials as well as attending meetings and conferences focused on educational policy .

Doherty acknowledged that his administration had been inattentive to some aspects of its mission, but attributed that to the circumstances under which he assumed his position. Doherty officially ascended to the role of superintendent in January, following the death of former superintendent Patrick A. Schettini Jr. Doherty had previously served as assistant superintendent, and began serving as acting superintendent after Schettini stepped down due to an illness last year.

"It has been a rollercoaster ride since May of 2009," Doherty said. "There were other things that did not get done, and that was done on purpose… We felt that we were shorthanded, and we felt like we needed to focus on what was best for the kids."

In their written comments, school committee members acknowledged that Doherty had been operating under adverse conditions.

Committee member Lisa Gibbs, who awarded Doherty some of his lowest marks on education policy advocacy, said Doherty would be better able to focus on his duties as superintendent when he finished assembling his central office staff.

The committee penned its comments in June, and Doherty has since filled out his administration by elevating former Joshua Eaton Elementary principal Patty de Garavilla to the role of assistant superintendent.

"Tonight should have happened close to the end of graduation," said Committee Chairman Chris Caruso. "I'll make sure that that happens in June this year."

In addition to their written comments, Doherty met with each member of the school committee to discuss their thoughts more fully.

Doherty thanked them for their input. He and Reading Public Schools, he said, always focus on ways to grow, something that the committee's comments provided him.