The Dorchester Reporter
Commentary: The search for a BPS superintendent: Are we headed to the edge of a cliff?
By Meg Campbell and Bill Walczak
March 16, 2022
The search for a new superintendent for the Boston Public Schools (BPS) started on March 2 with a decision by the Boston School Committee (BSC) to hire a firm to do the searching, which is supposed to happen by early April. The timeline states that the BSC will hire the new head of schools by the end of June, so that he or she presumably will be at the helm over the critical summer months beginning on July 1.
Having been part of many searches for high level positions, we think the timeline is unrealistic. The BSC needs to have a Plan B – unless there is an internal candidate who has already been groomed and selected by the mayor and chair of the school committee.
As pointed out in the podcast “Last Night at the Boston School Committee,” searches for superintendent typically begin with an articulated vision and goals outlined by the committee, which then hires someone who can implement it. But at the March 2 school committee meeting, these elements were not discussed. Instead, the panel announced, without articulating a vision or goals, a three-month window to hire someone to oversee a system with a billion-dollar budget.
The latest debacle – preventing BPS student athletes from competing due to a school official’s failure to submit paperwork on time – is a red flag of the operational dysfunction facing the district as it emerges from the pandemic. Will the state put the school district into receivership as is currently under serious consideration? BPS has serious issues that need resolution before a search begins.
Despite Mayor Wu’s view that there won’t be a problem recruiting candidates because “Boston is and will remain one of the most exciting places to work in public education in the country,” there are other factors that could work against a successful search in the compressed timeline.
We assume that prospective outstanding candidates will be considering the following:
• A 2024 Fiscal Cliff. For the coming year, the district will be awash in cash from federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding, but in 2024, those dollars vanish. Tough financial decisions will have to be made after that money disappears. That fiscal cliff will present major issues that should affect present and future decisions on the annual budget.
• “Build BPS” is mostly a wish list, not a pragmatic plan with mayoral and civic backing tied to major building projects in the Massachusetts School Building Authority pipeline. The pandemic highlighted what students and teachers inside schools already knew: Many buildings are aged, and in dire need of repair or replacement.
• BPS is losing administrative staff and school principals at an alarming rate. Last week, seven principals gave their notices and more are expected to do the same. Recruiting and hiring strong, capable principals will determine the success or failure of each school. Is outgoing superintendent Dr. Cassellius responsible for these critical hiring decisions, or will they be up to the yet-to-be-hired superintendent?
• What are the priorities, goals, and vision the superintendent will be charged with implementing?
• Who is my boss? If there is a move to an elected or hybrid school committee, those hiring the superintendent will be a different group from those evaluating and holding the system’s leader accountable. To what degree will the mayor flex her muscle to be the superintendent’s boss if there is a committee made up of elected and appointed members? And if entirely elected, what role will the mayor play in hiring and overseeing the superintendent? Why would someone want a job where, 18 months after being hired, the position will likely have a different group of bosses, goals, priorities, and vision?
• The School Committee bought out the contracts of the two most recent superintendents, each of whom lasted two years. Neither had prior experience in Boston, nor had they run a big city school system. Overall, we have had five superintendents in the last seven years. Wouldn’t this recent history give a prospective candidate pause?
• BPS enrollment is shrinking, not growing, and most of the system’s school-based facilities beg attention. No one wants to touch school building closings, but with a 14 percent drop in enrollment (there are at least 8,000 fewer students in BPS since 2013), combined with the derelict state of many facilities, some schools are going to have to be closed. An added note: While enrollment has plummeted in recent years, nearly 1,000 new positions were added to the BPS payroll.
• The achievement gap has widened. An all hands-on-deck push is needed here, but with the pressing operational issues, will curriculum and instruction get their due?
• How realistic is it for the new leader to assume immediate administration on July 1? Summers are when crucial hiring decisions are made, and when issues like building repairs, transportation systems, and a million other critical matters demand attention to ensure a smooth opening in August.
• BPS has a credibility gap. The Boston Globe reported on its artificially inflated graduation rate, for example. Are other BPS data reliable? As a prospective candidate considers applying, where should the individual look for rock solid statistics?
So, the BPS is not at its best at this moment. What’s Plan B?
We propose an empowered interim leadership model until such time as a new school committee has been elected, or constituted in a hybrid form, or when the system is moved under the direct control of the mayor. With a stable interim leadership in place, those in charge can undertake a thorough national search for a superintendent consistent with goals, priorities, and vision they have articulated.
The interim leadership model would include a triumvirate: an academic leader, a systems operational leader, and a Build BPS leader. The trio would work on short and long-term problems simultaneously with the authority to make hard decisions. The first order of business should be a thorough audit of positions and facilities, with an eye toward supporting green infrastructure in transportation and facilities. The 2024 superintendent would come in after tough decisions about school closures have been made and implemented.
In other words, the new superintendent would assume leadership of a district that has been right sized for its enrollment in alignment with the strategic vision and priorities of whomever the superintendent will report to.
While it’s possible that the perfect candidate will be presented quickly and be available immediately, that’s a long shot. It’s best if we develop a Plan B.
Bill Walczak is a Reporter columnist. He and Meg Campbell are married and residents of Dorchester. Bill is the founding president and former CEO of the Codman Square Health Center. He is a co-founder of Codman Academy and the Edward Kennedy Health Careers Academy, and chair of the board of Bunker Hill Community College. Meg is a former Boston School Committee member, a lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education, and co-founder of Boston Women’s Heritage Trail and Codman Academy Charter Public School.
Support local news. Subscribe or donate to The Dorchester Reporter at www.dotnews.com
Bill Walczak articles and other related media offerings
“Doubling down on our call to end the school committee.” February 24, 2022 https://conta.cc/3slaqyy
“Appointed or Elected? Let’s just eliminate the school committee” February 14, 2022 https://conta.cc/3sG75ZVor https://www.dotnews.com/2022/commentary-let-s-place-our-schools-directly-under-mayor
“Dot’s health care leaders discuss what they learned dealing with Covid” February 3, 2022 https://www.dotnews.com/2022/dot-s-health-center-leaders-discuss-what-they-learned-dealing-covid
“Dot Ave needs a makeover. How about making it green?” January 20, 2022 https://www.dotnews.com/2022/let-s-first-plant-and-then-nurture-more-trees-along-dorchester-ave or https://conta.cc/3KChqOP
“Commentary: Dorchester’s meaningful ties to the South Africa of Mandela and Tutu” January 12, 2022 https://conta.cc/3GqwRXJ or https://www.dotnews.com/2022/plumbing-commentary-dorchester-s-meaningful-ties-south-africa-mandela
“Some lessons we have learned as we enter Year 3 of the Covid Pandemic” December 30, 2021 https://conta.cc/3qQFunN or https://www.dotnews.com/2021/some-lessons-we-have-learned-we-enter-year-3-covid-pandemic
“Commentary: What can be done to stop the drop in Boston’s school-age population?” December 9, 2021 https://www.dotnews.com/2021/commentary-what-can-be-done-halt-drop-boston-s-school-age-population or https://conta.cc/3lSXnAZ
“Recommendations for Mayor Michelle Wu” November 18, 2021 https://conta.cc/3x8SR5H
“Why are we allocating tens of millions to horse racing as our T stations decay?” November 4, 2021. https://conta.cc/3CS0pMe or https://www.dotnews.com/2021/why-are-we-allocating-tens-millions-horse-racing-our-t-stations-decay
“Vaccinations defeated smallpox, polio; together, we can make Covid next to go” Dorchester Reporter October 20, 2021 https://www.dotnews.com/2021/vaccinations-defeated-smallpox-polio-together-we-can-make-covid-next or https://conta.cc/3C6yzva
“What we can do about Boston’s election problem” Dorchester Reporter September 29, 2021 https://conta.cc/3B01Abq
“Charter reforms needed to boost turnout” Dorchester Reporter, September 23, 2021
https://conta.cc/3kxr8qz or https://www.dotnews.com/2021/commentary-if-our-city-changed-few-things-more-us-might-turn-out-polls
“Election is close. Get out and vote!” Dorchester Reporter September 9, 2021 https://conta.cc/3l7a6P5
“The more voters there are, the better for all of us” August 26, 2021
https://conta.cc/3ymdSsE or https://www.dotnews.com/2021/more-voters-there-are-better-all-us
“Questions for mayoral hopefuls on development” July 15, 2021 https://conta.cc/2UDSvoJ
“City should reclaim historic open space at Franklin Park” July 1, 2021
https://conta.cc/2TrZCjD or https://www.dotnews.com/2021/commentary-city-should-reclaim-historic-open-space-franklin-park
“Commentary: Candidates' direct answers to queries can carry the day” June 10, 2021
Dorchester Reporter https://www.dotnews.com/2021/commentary-candidates-direct-answers-queries-can-carry-day or https://conta.cc/3ghjtuk
“The Codman Square Story: Where ‘nonprofit innovation’ wins the day” June 3, 2021 Dorchester Reporter https://www.dotnews.com/2021/codman-square-story-where-nonprofit-innovation-wins-day or https://conta.cc/3fUcM16
“Commentary: How reading a book brings me back to my work on the Irish peace process” May 13, 2021 Dorchester Reporter https://www.dotnews.com/2021/commentary-how-reading-book-brings-me-back-my-work-irish-peace-process or https://conta.cc/3wgaSNO
“Let’s think trees as part of cleanup of the X-Way mess” April 22, 2021.
Dorchester Reporter https://conta.cc/3xkNQqr
“Insult to injury: State property in Dorchester littered with trash” April 15, 2021. Dorchester Reporter https://www.dotnews.com/2021/insult-injury-state-property-dorchester-littered-trash or https://conta.cc/3aiVWWv
“Commentary: It's a race to the finish line--don't let Covid catch you” March 31, 2021 https://conta.cc/31y6e0ror https://www.dotnews.com/2021/commentary-its-race-finish-line-dont-let-covid-catch-you
“Walczak: use federal funds to make Boston a hub of equity” March 24, 2021 https://conta.cc/3fbB3Qk
“A year later, what have we learned?” March 11, 2021 https://conta.cc/30CcJyx
“Derek Chauvin proves America is still hiring the exact wrong people to be cops” by Frank Figliuzzi, MSNBC Columnist, extensive quotes of “Reimagining the city’s police force: Begin with the hiring” column from June 18, 2020 https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/derek-chauvin-proves-america-still-hiring-exact-wrong-people-be-n1259960
“With Boston flush with new US money, how about setting up universal Pre-K?”
March 4, 2021 https://conta.cc/38fVbwB
A teacher’s mural and drawings enrich Dorchester February 18, 2021
https://conta.cc/3uqh9GG https://www.dotnews.com/2021/teachers-murals-and-drawings-enrich-epiphany-schools-campus
“Reading the Globe then (1981) and now shows how democracy has been curbed” February 11, 2021 https://conta.cc/3d725r7 https://www.dotnews.com/2021/reading-globe-then-1981-and-now-shows-how-democracy-has-been-curbed
“We need a plan to speed up vaccinations; the following is one approach to consider”
February 4, 2021 https://www.dotnews.com/2021/we-need-plan-speed-vaccinations-following-one-approach-consider
Interview on BNN: What’s needed to close gap on vaccinations January 28, 2021 https://youtu.be/QqSXZDG9Vok
Interview on WGBH on Covid vaccine problems January 27, 2021
https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2021/01/27/we-have-to-make-sure-that-we-dont-miss-any-opportunities-to-get-that-vaccine-into-the-arms-of-people-local-community-health-leader-says
“We need to lead, not follow, on doing mass vaccinations” January 21, 2021
https://www.dotnews.com/2021/commentary-we-need-lead-not-follow-doing-mass-vaccinations
“In the Wake of Trumpian seditionists, our region can lead the nation by example” January 14, 2021 https://conta.cc/35OqEVj
“Remembering a Friend who Died of Covid” December 31, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2021/remembering-friend-who-died-covid
“On the Allure of People Singing Together” December 16, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/allure-people-singing-together
“Strolling down Dot Ave. and shopping the world”
December 3, 2020 with Meg Campbell
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/strolling-down-dot-ave-and-shopping-world
“Opinion: Let’s think more about parkways and bikes, and less about the dreams of the auto-centric” December 2, 2020 https://www.dotnews.com/2020/opinion-let-s-think-more-about-parkways-and-bikes-and-less-about
“Good News on COVID but we’re still on a highway – don’t take your seatbelts off yet”
November 18, 2020 https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-good-news-covid-scene-were-still-highway-dont-take-your
“Thoughts about a still-divided America” November 11, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/thoughts-about-still-divided-america
“This is the Man who wants a second term?” October 29, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/man-who-wants-second-term
“Put this on your Boston bucket list: Stepping into The Ether Dome at MGH”
October 22, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/put-your-boston-bucket-list-stepping-ether-dome-mgh
“Our polarized country needs changes in the way our elections are conducted”
October 14, 2020 https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-our-polarized-country-needs-changes-way-our-elections-are
“Why Ranked-Choice Voting Makes Sense” October 8, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/why-ranked-choice-voting-makes-sense
"Massachusetts must fill funding gap for low-income students"
Dorchester Reporter September 24, 2020 https://www.dotnews.com/2020/massachusetts-must-fill-funding-gap-low-income-students
"Rev. "Doc" Conway sounds an alarm"
Dorchester Reporter September 9, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/rev-doc-conway-sounds-alarm
"Call it What you Will, but single-payer health care is what we need"
Dorchester Reporter September 3, 2020 https://www.dotnews.com/2020/call-it-what-you-will-single-payer-health-care-what-we-need
"How a 1976 Dorchester Court program has helped to keep our parklands clean"
Dorchester Reporter August 27, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/how-1976-dorchester-court-program-has-helped-keep-our-parklands-clean
"Timely test results are critical to curbing viral spread"
Dorchester Reporter August 20, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-timely-test-results-are-critical-curbing-viral-spread
"Science opens a door for getting students back into schools"
Dorchester Reporter July 22, 2020
http://www.dotnews.com/2020/science-opens-door-getting-students-back-schools
“How to increase turnout in Boston elections: Eliminate our odd-numbered year balloting”
Dorchester Reporter July 16, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/how-increase-turnout-boston-elections-eliminate-our-odd-numbered-year
“Inaction on fireworks prompts many questions”
Dorchester Reporter July 9, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/letter-editor-explosives-create-war-zone-feel-neighborhood
“The virology podcast TWIV has become an essential source for COVID-19 news”
Dorchester Reporter July 2, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/virology-podcast-twiv-has-become-essential-source-covid-19-news
“Commentary: Hold on! Reopening doesn’t mean that coronavirus is gone”
Dorchester Reporter June 25, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-hold-reopening-doesn-t-mean-coronavirus-gone
“Reimagining the city’s police force: Begin with the hiring”
Dorchester Reporter June 18, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/reimagining-citys-police-force-begin-hiring
“The making of the people’s health center. Getting things done in Codman Square”
Dorchester Reporter June 4, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/making-people-s-health-center
“Strong action needed now to avert more educational woes across state”
Dorchester Reporter May 28, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/opinion-strong-action-needed-now-avert-more-educational-woes-across
“Is keeping seniors locked in the best that society can do?”
Dorchester Reporter May 21, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/keeping-seniors-locked-down-best-we-can-do
“Boomers being left out? Readers offer their views”
Dorchester Reporter May 14, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-boomers-being-left-out-readers-offer-their-views
“Commentary: ‘Boomers’ need to flex their electoral muscles”
Dorchester Reporter May 7, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-boomers-need-flex-their-electoral-muscles
“Some hopeful signs from the battlefield” Dorchester Reporter April 30, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-some-hopeful-signs-battlefield
“It’s time to mandate masks, face covering in public spaces” Dorchester Reporter
April 23, 2020 https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-time-mandate-face-coverings-boston-and-across-state
“State begins to wrestle with serious budgetary matters”
Dorchester Reporter April 16, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/state-begins-wrestle-serious-budgetary-matters
“Fast-moving crisis, fast-moving changes, and a plate full of what we’re still facing”
Dorchester Reporter April 9, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/fast-moving-crisis-fast-moving-changes-and-plate-full-what-we-re-still
“Wearing Masks Must Be a National Policy”
New York Times April 2, 2020
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/opinion/coronavirus-masks.html?smid=em-share
“Observations about a catastrophic month”
Dorchester Reporter April 2, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/commentary-observations-catastrophic-month
“Health Centers make urgent request for state support”
Dorchester Reporter March 26, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/health-centers-make-urgent-request-state-support
“The next two weeks will tell if we’re ready: We’re gonna need a bigger boat”
Dorchester Reporter March 19, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/files/REP%2012-20web.pdf
“Walczak: “Social distancing” is critical right now, not later on”
Dorchester Reporter March 15, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/walczak-social-distancing-critical-right-now-not-later
Interview on BNN by Chris Lovett “What’s missing in response to Covid 19” March 12, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VllymXoI4D4&authuser=0
“The goal for now: Slow down the infection rate” Dorchester Reporter March 12, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/goal-now-slow-down-infection-rate
“Charitable tax deductions will hurt the Commonwealth’s bottom line”
Dorchester Reporter March 5, 2020
https://www.dotnews.com/2020/comment-charitable-tax-deductions-will-hurt-commonwealths-bottom-line
Other
Bound by their Boston neighborhood. January 31, 2020
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/fashion/weddings/Bill-Walczak-Meg-Campbell-married-Boston-Dorchester.html?referringSource=articleShare
TED talk “Unlearning & Expanding our Definition of Health”
January, 2020
https://www.ted.com/talks/bill_walczak_unlearning_expanding_our_definition_of_health_may_2020?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare
TED talk “Codman Square” July, 2010
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBgMh0LBzj0
| 
