Superintendent Anne Wilson Gets High Marks from School Committee

Sudbury Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Anne Wilson received a glowing first review from the Sudbury Public Schools (SPS) Committee on Wednesday.

“She is hardworking, thoughtful, politically savvy, and, when necessary, tough as nails,” read one quote from the review.

The annual superintendent’s assessment, which normally happens later in the spring, was fast-tracked this year due to the impending retirement of Committee Chair Jeffrey Beeler and Vice Chair Susan Iuliano next month.

Committee members assessed Wilson on all areas of her performance, including educational vision, personnel and financial management, and communication. The evaluation comprised both a checklist of items against which the superintendent was rated on a scale of one to four (four being the best) and an expository section in which committee members could elaborate on their feedback.

Wilson received no scores lower than a three. In some cases, Beeler encouraged fellow members to increase the threes in a draft version of the evaluation to fours, based on his more direct knowledge of the superintendent’s work. Beeler and other members concurred that Wilson’s strong performance had been especially noteworthy given the challenge of having to fill the shoes of a well-respected predecessor.  

“Over the past many months, it is clear that we made the right choice — it is clear she is a consummate professional,” said Beeler.

Committee member Richard Robison, who helped to lead the assessment process, underscored one positive statement in the report that he felt best summed up all the others:

“Sudbury Public Schools are quite fortunate to have Dr. Wilson at our helm.”

In financial news on Wednesday, Iuliano explained that finalization of the SPS budget for the coming year remains somewhat in limbo, pending the latest news on state funding and recommendations from the town Finance Committee (FinCom) this week. The draft budget for SPS is on track to maintain existing staffing levels, albeit with staff concessions on raises and benefits.

One unknown is whether the FinCom might propose a small reallocation of SPS funds to , which is facing a budget shortfall next year due in large part to the skyrocketing cost of special education. While FinCom, and ultimately Sudbury residents at Town Meeting would be responsible for that decision, Iuliano advised that the SPS Committee should make a recommendation about whether such a reallocation would be advisable.

“I don’t think it makes sense to fix a problem at L-S by creating a problem at SPS, as well,” said Beeler, with others concurring.

To bolster that position, district Director of Business and Finance Mary Will reminded the Committee that a spending freeze has been in place within the district since January, with all but critical purchases of things like technology and curriculum materials put on hold. However, as one small means of relief through the end of this year, Will is requesting that approximately $178,000 be reallocated to the district’s operating budget – money that was saved by the district in April through the town’s recent move to a state-sponsored health program.

As a final note on Wednesday, Beeler reported that the town had mistakenly removed new scoreboards at the playing fields, which a civic-minded student had recently erected as part of a fully approved Eagle Scout project. Beeler said that he had made it clear to town staff that jurisdiction over the scoreboards belonged exclusively to the school committee, and the town will have them reinstalled within the next week.

A special meeting of the SPS Committee will be called prior to Town Meeting to discuss budget updates, and the Committee will also be hosting a coffee open to all on May 5 from 9-11 a.m. at Grange Hall.