Espindle Review complete.. no Big Surprizes

The Dracut School Committee issued their annual (well, at least this year’s) review of School Superintendent Elaine Espindle last night. Dennis Shaughnessey did a nice write-up of the presentation in this morning’s paper.

The “point value” of the review did go down a small amout since her last review (almost a year and a half ago).

In general, as expected, she did well in terms of business and school administration, but continues to have lower scores when it comes to relationship and communication with the School Committee, municipal side of government and the community.

It was noted that the review form that they have been using now seems to be out obsolete as compared to what some of the members would like.

The form had been designed when her contract was reissued. It focusses on the issues that were paramount at the time.

After six years, the Superintendent and the members seem to feel that it is not currently reviewing the aspects of her performance that they now would like to focus on.

She did note that she works to a set of goals (and requires the principals to do the same) and that the current survey instrument does not capture that very well.

(I wasn’t sure, the way she explained it, that the goals she was talking about were the School District goals that are reviewed with the School Committee each year.  Dennis’ article in the Sun seems to indicate so).

For now.. we’ll leave off any comment on how this could influence her upcoming contract renewal and/or renegotiation. The members don’t want us trying to force their hands