Phongsavanh Calls For Greater Transparency In Superintendent Hiring Process

As the process of finding a new superintendent for the Woonsocket Public School system continues to move forward, Committeewoman Vimala Phongsavanh documented three major concerns she has with the Search Sub-committee in charge of chosing the new education leader in a letter this weekend.

The communication, dated July 23 and addressed to the School Committee, follows the which were held for the position last Friday.

"As you are aware, for the past month I have been concerned about the transparency and accountability of the Superintendent Search Sub-Committee," begins Phongsavanh. "As a public official I am sure you understand that we must hold ourselves accountable for the decisions we make and we must make sure that the public is getting the most accurate information, as it is their right."

At the center of the controversy lies the list of the names of those chosen for the search sub-committee by Committeewomen Eleanor Nadeau and Linda Majewski. The 20 member sub-committee is responsible for interviewing contenders for the position and has already conducted their first round of interviews. During a July 13 School Committee meeting, Nadeau and Majewski said the list would be made public as soon as it was finalized. 

"I have openly requested the list of the search committee members but to date I have received nothing in writing," said Phongsavanh, going on to outline three attempts she has made at obtaining the document, which she says was viewed by Committeewoman Maguire-Forcier on July 11.

Phongsavanh also expressed concerns with the timeliness of responses to her requests by Central Administration. According to the letter, four requests for the Superintendent Search Committee Policy and Procedures have been either ignored or answered with the wrong documentation.

Additionally, the committeewoman states that she believes the Superintendent Search Subcommittee is in violation of the Open Meetings Act (OMA.) OMA is a chapter of the Rhode Island General Laws designed to ensure that government actions are conducted in an open manner to allow public participation in government.

The law, Phongsavanh explains, requires "that public business be performed in an open and public manner," and that written minutes be kept of all meetings of public bodies.

"I would like to remind you that sub-committees, work-groups and advisory committees ARE public bodies and are subject to all the rules of the OMA," she said.

The Search Sub-Committee has reportedly narrowed down the list of candidates to three finalists and the final interviews for Woonsocket's new superintendent are expected to be held on Tuesday.