UPDATED: Framingham Superintendent Given 'Proficient' Review

Framingham Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott has an ”excellent long-range vision” for the district and was given an overall 2014-15 review of “proficient” by the Framingham School Committee.

“Dr Scott continues to move the district forward admirable in all respects,” said School Committee Chair Beverly Hugo.

In 2013-14, Scott received an overall combined rating of 3.5 out of 4, with three meaning proficient and 4 exemplary. Scott has been with the Framingham Public School district since 2012.

Hugo read the review publicly last night at the committee’s June 16 meeting, just after 9:30 p.m.

The 7-member Committee did not vote to accept the review formally, as copies of the review were not provided to the Committee members nor to the public.

I need to see the review, not just hear it, said School Committee member Don Taggart, on his reason to delay a vote.

A vote is expected next Tuesday on June 23.

Hugo said members would receive a copy Wednesday morning.

The review document was expected to be made available to the public, including the press, also sometime on Wednesday.

Overall, Hugo said Scott was making “significant progress” towards the School Committee’s and District’s goals.

“District goals have been reached and even surpassed, in some cases,” said Hugo.

“Framingham students are excelling,” said Hugo.”Dr. Scott has had positive ideas and vision for our district. We have an excellent strategic plan to guide Framingham to be a premiere district in the Commonwealth. The executive of this plan has had some great successes and some challenges. As we move forward, the consensus of this committee is that the challenges need to be addressed.”

Scott received a ”needs improvement” in his review, when it came to “professional culture” and family engagement, managing conflict, staff communications and overall communications.

“Dr Scott has strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills,” said Hugo in reading the review last night.

“The quality of online surveys and press releases have been problematic,” said Hugo.

“There have been a few well-publicized issues in regards to public communications,” said Hugo.

“School Committee members and staff have received a great deal of information from online media,” said Hugo.

The Committee in its 2014 review of Scott also noted he needed to improve communication. The review specifically mentioned “regular social media communication.” Scott created a Twitter account but does not Tweet often. He has Tweeted 43 times since joining in March 2013.

Scott hired a public information officer in January 2015 to help with communications within the district and with the public. The person hired was offered $60,000 a year for 20 hours a week. The person hired left the district in less than 3 months.

Working to create more opportunities for advanced students was listed as an ”opportunity for growth” in the review.

“Because of changes to SAGE, the math curriculum and the high needs population, there is a major concern that our advanced learners are not being challenged,” read Hugo.

“More intricate and detailed budgets need to be presented in a timely fashion,” said Hugo, as another “opportunity for growth” for Scott.

The review was a composite of individual reviews by seven School Committee members, including former School Committee member Andy Limeri, that was compiled by Hugo. School Committee member Jim Kelly, elected in April, did not participate in the process.

Framingham Patch will publish another report when the review is made public.

Photo by Petroni Media Company