Supt. Tremblay makes the honor roll

Published in the March 2, 2016 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The School Committee gave Superintendent of Schools Jane Tremblay a positive review for the superintendent’s job performance Feb. 23.

School Committee Chairwoman Susie Cleary recently distributed evaluation forms for committee members to use in order evaluate Tremblay’s performance the past 18 months. After collecting each member’s evaluation, Cleary created an evaluation instrument that outlined Tremblay’s performance.

Goals

Cleary said Tremblay met the four goals she established as part of the state-issued educator evaluation system, which is mandated by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

According to the evaluation, a superintendent can exceed, meet, show significant progress, some progress or did not meet established goals.

The professional practice goal Tremblay met was participating in the New Superintendent Induction Program offered by DESE.

The student-learning goal Tremblay met was ensuring the school system was using a “fair, effective teacher evaluation (system).”

The first district-improvement goal Tremblay met was improving communication across the district. The second district-improvement goal Tremblay met was “integrating technology effectively in order to improve teaching and learning for all students.”

“Tremblay has met established goals and is proficient within the standards indicated,” read the evaluation instrument. “Jane has stepped into the superintedency with confidence and purpose. She clearly has a strong vision for moving the district forward and for continuous improvement. She holds herself to a high standard and expects the same of others. Under her leadership, the Lynnfield School District has made progress in integrating technology into teaching and learning, addressing the social-emotional and safety needs of our students and ensuring a high quality teaching staff. There has been an increased rigor around student performance, observational feedback and intra-district communication. Leading in the areas of curriculum, assessment and instructional practices is a strength for Jane.”

Cleary also stated while reading the evaluation instrument that Tremblay’s day-to-operations as superintendent “reflects and is in congruity with the established vision and mission of the district.”

“Jane has demonstrated a very efficient system for the collection and synthesis of data as an evidenced-based practice for her role as superintendent,” the evaluation instrument read. “At the same time, Jane is still learning some of the details and work flow included with the job. However, she is aware that she still has room to grow in this area and is always anxious to reflect and improve. She welcomes feedback regarding how to communicate more effectively with the committee to ensure members have the information they need to do their job well. There is nothing significant lacking, however it is an area to continue refining. While the quantitative results remain to be seen, based on Jane’s current practices, the district is heading is a positive direction.”

Standards

Tremblay was rated “proficient” on the superintendent evaluation’s four standards: Instructional leadership, management and operations, family and community engagement, and professional culture.

Cleary noted the DESE defined proficient as a “practice is understood to be fully satisfactory” and is “the rigorous expected level of performance.”

Instructional leadership

Cleary said Tremblay received a proficient rating on the evaluation instrument’s instructional leadership standard.

“Superintendent Tremblay operates on a daily basis as the true instructional leader of the district,” the evaluation instrument read. “Jane’s work in setting high expectations for the quality of classroom instruction is consistent and pervasive. Her desire to make sure that the work done by administrators, teachers and, in fact, everyone in the district is of high quality is meaningful and benefits the teaching and learning process.”

The evaluation instrument continued: “Based on (Tremblay’s) schedule of visitations to the schools and conversations with administrators, her focus is clearly on curriculum, instruction and assessment. She has consistent and on-going dialogue with the Lynnfield administrative leadership team and models the need for a collegial, cooperative and collaborative effort to realize the vision and achieve the mission of Lynnfield Public Schools.”

Management and operations

The School Committee gave Tremblay a proficient rating on the management and operations standard.

“Jane understands that time for collaboration is necessary to make progress for our students,” read the evaluation instrument. “Her efforts in proposing the new director (of teaching and learning) position in the FY’17 budget indicate her thinking and planning about how to accomplish the time and work necessary to advance teaching and learning for our students.”

Communication

Cleary said the school board gave Tremblay a proficient rating on the family and community relations standard.

“Tremblay has immersed herself in the community and has built strong relationships with both town government and the business community,” read the evaluation instrument. “Her strong communications with the Police Department has increased student safety and fostered a strong focus on the social and emotional wellness of our students. The introduction of COPSync demonstrates not only a relationship with other town departments, but also with the business community. It should be noted that the superintendent worked in collaboration with the Lynnfield Police Department to secure the COPSync safety system at no cost to the town or the school department. She was able to secure private grants to pay for the initial cost of the program.”

The evaluation instrument continued, “Overall, Jane has developed strong and beneficial relationships with town officials and she is well respected amongst her peers in the community.”

Cleary also noted Tremblay and school officials went to visit METCO students and families at the beginning of the school year.

“This initiative demonstrated a commitment to ensuring that these students have a successful and rewarding experience in Lynnfield,” read the evaluation instrument.

The evaluation instrument also commended Tremblay for being present at school events.

“Jane is visible in the schools and at school events,” read the evaluation instrument. “This provides her the opportunity to interact with all stakeholders in the school community. The superintendent is good-natured and approachable and actively engages students at each school to gather feedback about their experiences. Jane has a high energy level and reaches out in as many ways as possible (e.g. social media, electronic communication, personal contact), to all segments of those connected to the LPS community. She invites opinions, commentary, feedback and input for her consideration and reflection. She demonstrates a genuine concern for all students and families in the district. Communication is one of Jane’s strongest qualities.”

The evaluation instrument continued: “(Tremblay’s) sincere commitment to (communication) seems to have filtered down to her administration leadership team and faculty. Her Twitter feed, for example, indicates that many administrators and staff also provide a wealth of information about what is happening in the schools and with our students. While there is clearly evidence of Jane’s engagement with school stakeholders, there is less evidence of an on-going plan for formal two-way communication with parents and other stakeholders. With the understanding that Jane is only 18 months into the job, this may be something to consider in the future.”

Professional culture

The School Committee also gave Tremblay a proficient rating on the professional culture standard.

“Jane’s work on the District Strategy was well thought out and backed by the evidence she gathered in her entry plan,” the evaluation instrument read. “The goals in the strategy support a strong and ambitious vision for our students. Her work in ensuring that all administrators have high expectations for the teaching and learning that occurs in our classrooms will benefit our students.”

The school board also commended Tremblay’s commitment to expanding technology in the town’s schools, which the evaluation instrument called “extraordinary.”

“With the support of technology specialists, the district continues to push the bounds of technology across all grade levels,” read the evaluation instrument.”

The School Committee also commended Tremblay for encouraging Lynnfield High School officials to implement new classes “to prepare the students for college and post graduate careers.”

Reaction

School Committee member Dorothy Presser congratulated Tremblay for receiving a positive first review on the superintendent’s report card.

“The evaluation certainly indicates you have the confidence of the committee,” said Presser.

Cleary agreed.

“I feel very hopeful about where the district is headed,” said Cleary.

Tremblay personally thanked the School Committee for giving her a positive review.

“I thank you for your vote of confidence and I thank you for sharing my vision for moving the district forward,” said Tremblay. “I am very excited about the work that lies ahead.”