Woburn Superintendent Donovan Receives Proficient Grade from School Committee

WOBURN, MA—Woburn superintendent Mark Donovan received a favorable evaluation from the Woburn School Committee during its June 29 meeting.

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Six of the school committee members gave Donovan a proficient grade, with one exemplary. Both Donovan and School Committee members acknowledged "work-to-rule" as one of the major challenges which faced the school district during the 2015-2016 school year.

"Labor negotiations create a tense work environment," said School Committee member Richard Metters."The superintendent did his best to maintain focus and decorum under difficult circumstances."

"Work-to-rule" refers to the practice of performing tasks only for which teachers were specifically compensated during contract negotiations. The Woburn Teachers Association and School Committee ratified a new contract on May 25, effective through the 2017-2018 School year.

Additionally, The Massachusetts Department of Education downgraded Woburn Memorial High School from a level 2 to a level 3 facility. At the time of the downgrade, Donovan, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Matthew Crowley and Woburn High Principal Joseph Finigan said that the downgrade was not a result of catastrophic declining achievement.

Donovan also led efforts to bring on two new administrators into the district. In May, the district hired Jessica Callanan as Woburn Memorial High School's principal, taking over for Finigan.

School committee members discussed Donovan's failure to alert the district of the downgrade from the Massachsetts Department of Education, and urged for improved communications with the public.

"One thing we can focus on a body as a whole is to increase the communication," Committee member Joseph Demers stated at the meeting."Other districts utilize maybe a 'state-of-the-schools' address."

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