Hub panel OKs school super job description

The Superintendent Search Committee has finalized what they are looking for in the district’s new leadership: prioritizing the achievement gap elimination, a strong understanding of urban education and a champion for public schools as top characteristics.

The new job description was passed unanimously Wednesday at the School Committee meeting. Some community members said the description is unfinished and questioned the vote.

“It is a contradiction to have a vote if there are still listening sessions, because if they are being transparent with the information gathered, it would be best to withhold the final vote in order to fold in the information from the community,” said Edith Bazile of the Black Educators Alliance of Massachusetts.

The Alliance and 11 other organizations provided a letter to the district describing the most important characteristics of the new superintendent, saying an educational leader dedicated to eliminating disparities to ensure a quality education for each student is paramount.

“What we lacked with (former Superintendent Tommy) Chang was a clear articulation of an educational vision,” Bazile said. “And if we can start with that we can address the equity and other issues.”

Search Committee cochairwoman Alexandra Oliver-Davila said the group is working to keep their job description aligned with community feedback. She said the committee feels this description is improved as it incorporates the achievement gap, managing an urban district, and talks about challenges that Boston Public Schools faces.

“This way it gives people a sense of what the reality is here,” Oliver-Davila said.

The Search Committee will still host listening sessions to incorporate the feedback and will update the job description if necessary. If that happens, the revised version will go back to the School Committee for a vote.

“I think it has been smooth because the search committee has been helpful and the community has been good,” Oliver-Davila said. “Everyone wants to help and give us their feedback.”

Now, the Committee will select a search firm and present their recommendation to the School Committee on Dec. 19. Then they will work with the firm to recruit and vet candidates, creating questions and setting up interviews. Candidates will start applying about Christmas.

Oliver-Davila said if the process continues smoothly, a new superintendent will be chosen by the end of the school year.