Wellesley School Committee Praises Superintendent

The School Committee lauded Superintendent Bella T. Wong last night, praising her depth of knowledge, ability to attract and retain top level administrators and teachers, tireless work ethic and her concern for not only what is right for the system, but what is right for the individual student.
School Committee member Suzy Littlefield said it is Wong's ability to keep her focus on the child which stands out.
"I'm proud of being a part of the Wellesley Public Schools, that has such a person as its leader," Littlefield said.
The unprecedented public job performance review, which members began tentatively, was a result of a recent State Judicial Court ruling mandating that such reviews include discussion in open session. After the public airing, the committee went into private executive discussion to continue the evaluation.
In their public review, School Committee members had nothing but stellar evaluations.
They cited her intelligence, strong writing skills, her ability to delegate, her tenacity and her drive.
When it came to maneuvering this year's especially difficult budget process, members said she had a remarkable range of understanding of even minute details of where and why money was being spent and where it came from. They credited her with finding places to cut the budget without major impact and with investigating alternatives to traditional ways of doing things.
"Whether they are popular or not," added School Committee member KC Kato.
They called her educational vision and leadership "excellent," and appreciated her collaborative development of very specific system goals.
On this subject Littlefield did have a minor complaint.
With all the distractions of the past several months, from the H1N1 flu scare to the budget issues, she said work on the 21st Century goals for the system lagged.
"I want to make sure we get that back in the forefront for the next year," she said.
Committee members also asked her to begin talking with the town's Advisory Committee earlier in the budget process next year to try and head off some of the last minute questions that came up this year.
But that's about as close as any comments came to being negative.
"I'm a bit blown away," Wong said of the public comments. "The work you compliment me on is really the work of the district and my teams. ...And I accept what you've said on behalf of all the staff."
School Committee members were thrilled with her ability to fill open administrative positions quickly, and with people they called "tailor made" for each position.
School Committee Chairwoman Ilissa Povich referenced the recent hire of Winchester principal Dr. Steven Goodwin to begin as the new principal at Sprague on July 1 as an example.
Goodwin, who was formally introduced to the committee earlier in the meeting, said he is already meeting with another Wellesley principal as his mentor in an arrangement Wong facilitated.
"I know the Sprague Community is very excited about this hire," Povich said.
As much as anything, School Committee members praised Wong's stamina and ability to be fluent in the details of so many different areas.
"Certainly managing a high school project of this magnitude is challenging," said School Committee member Steve Burtt, "and that is just one part of your job.