5 Things to Know About the Worcester Superintendent Selection

Thursday, March 10, 2016

GoLocalWorcester News Team

The selection of the next Worcester Public School Superintendent is in the final phase. Last night, the four finalists answered questions on a sweeping array of issues. There are some important factors that go beyond the publicly presented questions and the process.

SEE THE FIVE THING YOU NEED TO KNOW BELOW

The next Worcester Superintendent may determine the long-term fate of the quality and the confidence that parents instill in the system.

Political Football and Unrest

The past few years the Worcester School system has been plagued by being used as a political stage for discussions by education leaders on issues including panhandling. The next Superintendent will face a tremendous number of education, budgetary and political challenges.

Related Slideshow: 5 Things to Know About the Worcester Selection Process - 2016

Prev Next

#1

No Experience as a Superintendent

None of the four finalists have served as a permanent Superintendent of a school system in the past.

Only Dr. Marco Rodrigues has served in an acting role.

Whomever is selected will have a significant learning curve. And, there is no indication that Worcester is poised to create a support structure to support the next superintendent. In many school systems in the United States, when selecting a non-experienced superintendent or principal engage a retired professional to serve as a resource or mentor to the newly selected appointee.

Prev Next

#2

Little Outside Experience

Maybe it is a reaction to the Dr. Melinda Boone years, but the four finalists have worked the vast majority of their education careers working in Central Massachusetts and Worcester specifically.

They know what they know very well, but have little experience outside of the Worcester area.

The impact of the lack of outside experience can also mean the next superintendent does not have a network in Boston, in Washington, D.C., or with the critical private foundations in order to attract critical grants to fund improvement and innovation.

Prev Next

#3

Diverse

The four finalists include three women and one Latino male. Rodrigues has stood out in Worcester as one of the most high profile and accomplished member of the Hispanic community in a city with a fast growing Hispanic community.

While Worcester is often and rightfully criticized for its lack of diversity in government, serving on boards and commissions and in public safety, the four finalists offer some diversity.

Prev Next

#4

Standardized Testing

The four finalists are supportive of standardized testing and none of them suggest radical changes. None of the four finalists voiced strong support of continuing PARCC testing.

Worcester has not had a clear testing policy in the past three years and PARCC has become a political and ideological education football.

Prev Next

#5

Does Worcester Lose Rodrigues

If Worcester selects one of the finalists other than Rodrigues, will the city be able to retain him as the number two?

First, the new superintendent may not want the former acting superintendent hanging around. Second, Rodrigues will be a hot commodity for other cities. Many cities are searching for top level talent that has experience. The fact that he is a Latino male only adds to his recruitability.