Portsmouth's Next Superintendent to be Paid Between $125K to $145K Salary

Two of the most-watched items that have appeared on the School Committee’s agendas in recent months were withdrawn at the start of Tuesday night’s meeting.

The “Discussion/Action/Ratification – NEA Portsmouth Contract” and the “Approval of Procedures for Policy 4111” were removed from the agenda and not discussed at the meeting.

The school committee and the teacher’s union are still in direct mediation. The next meeting between the two will be held Tuesday, March 29, 6:30 p.m. at the Portsmouth High School library.

The second reading and adoption of changes to Policy 4111 was tabled to a future meeting.

“The meetings we have had and the input the NEA has given (for the changes in Policy 4111) have been productive,” said Chairperson Cynthia Perrotti prior to tabling the item.

In other actions, the committee unanimously approved the time line for the Superintendent Search Committee.

Also passed unanimously, was the “Approval of Advertisements” in order to begin the process of receiving resumes for the next school superintendent. Advertisements will be placed in trade journals and on electronic media.

In January, current announced she would not be asking for a renewal of her current contract.

Before the vote, the proposed salary range for the next superintendent was reduced. Originally the range was to be listed as $130,000 to $150,000 per year. The new range to be advertised will be $125,000 to $145,000 per year.

Perrotti asked Search Subcommittee Chairman Albert Honnen if the members believed that a private executive consulting firm to screen applications at this time was needed.

She noted that a RFP or request for proposals had been issued. The cost could be anywhere from $8,000 to $15,000 to hire such a firm.

“Then let's save the money,” said Honnen hearing applause a few seconds later.

Honnen also said the ultimate goal of the subcommittee was to bring in three qualified, unranked candidates before the committee. The school committee will then choose the final candidate.

A quick review meeting will be held between the school committee and the Selection Subcommittee this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the high school library.

The school committee also heard a presentation that was a collective effort by the two elementary school principals: Hathaway’s Bob Ettinger and Melville’s Dr. Joanne Olson.

Some of the interesting demographic data revealed was;

• 133 students or 17.3% of the population between pre-kindergarten and grade 3 have an Individual Educational Plan (IEP).
• 61 students or 10.9% of the population between grade 1 to grade 3 have a Personal Literacy Plan (PLP).
• 109 students or 14.2% of the elementary population receive free or reduced lunch.

The principals stated the following goals they would like to achieve or have the school district complete:

• Continuous progress in literacy and math as reflected in the high NECAP test scores and continual gains in tracked progress of those scores since 2005.
• Literacy strengths were that of small group instruction and identifying student’s individual needs, readiness, interest through the use of literacy coaches.
• Universal screening for mathematics three times a year.
• “Academics for the Whole Child” program that includes consideration all aspects of the individual students.
• Upgrading the hands-on technology the students use.
• All-day kindergarten

“A full day kindergarten would really help the students with all parts of the curriculum particularly the writing aspects of it,” Melville’s Literacy Coach Laurel Oliveira said.