After almost a full year, the Bedford School Committee is delighted with its superintendent of schools.
And how does Philip Conrad feel? “I am blessed to be here.”
The agenda for last Tuesday’s virtual committee meeting featured the superintendent’s evaluation, as well as a review of goals for the year.
Committee Chair Dan Brosgol shared the text of the committee’s lengthy and detailed performance review, much of it based on a template supplied by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The key word through the long document was “proficient.” That’s not the highest category, though as Brosgol noted, “We don’t give ‘exemplary’ ratings.” But he emphasized, “We have a great relationship with Mr. Conrad.”
Following the formal report, committee members took turns applauding Conrad’s first year, several calling attention to the unprecedented challenge presented by the coronavirus pandemic. Conrad was hired on March 25, 2020, a couple of weeks after much of public life shut down. He began his tenure on July 1.
“Bedford did this year what many other districts could not, and without Mr. Conrad and the leadership team it could not have happened,” Brosgol said. “Take pride in the fact that we made a wonderful choice. He exceeded our expectations, under duress.” He also said Conrad “led the district with enthusiasm, clarity, credibility and positivity” under “incredibly challenging circumstances.”
“He is a ‘we’ guy,” Brosgol declared. “Everyone soared to new heights because Phil made space for them to do their very best.” Conrad hit that pitch, saying that the positive review reflects the work of everyone, from principals and teachers to office assistants, cafeteria workers, and custodians. “We have a wonderful group and I am absolutely thrilled.”
Committee member Brad Morrison remarked, “Bedford did not just survive this, but the Bedford school district really excelled during these challenging times. Things in some areas actually got better, an amazing accomplishment. I think you made that happen as a leader, not just a manager.”
His colleagues added affirmation. “This year we captured a lot of your leadership. I think you really shined in your role,” said Ann Guay. JoAnn Santiago laughed as she recalled Conrad saying in his initial interview, “I don’t want to make any big changes in the first year.” Sarah Scoville praised the superintendent for listening to all stakeholders.
The student representative on the School Committee for the past year, new Bedford High School graduate Ryan Doucette, said he felt it was a “great privilege” to have served on the superintendent search committee. “Student learning has benefited from your leadership,” he asserted.
The evaluation itself was “a multi-layered process that takes a few weeks,” Brosgol said. The written narrative was 12 pages long and there was a review of progress toward goals.
Brosgol reported that the committee was impressed with Conrad’s “calm and easy demeanor in a year when he has been besieged.” The superintendent conveyed an “attitude that there is no problem he cannot solve.” The assessment expressed “full appreciation of the hard work by the superintendent and his team.”
Other strengths the committee cited were contract negotiations, school and classroom visits, and implementation of the district literacy plan,
There were a few suggestions for improvement. “It seems like there could be greater alignment of reading and writing best practices across the district,” the chairman read. He mentioned additional approaches to addressing “the growing social and emotional needs of our students.” The evaluation also cited the need to increase the diversity of faculty and staff, acknowledging that “every competing district is also working on this.”
The School Committee’s evaluation defined progress toward realizing the superintendent’s goals in a range of categories as proficient – in professional service, student learning, instructional leadership. The committee acknowledged that “this year it is hard to measure success in the indicator areas. In late summer we will see updated school improvement plans so he can incorporate his vision into district-wide work.”
In the category of professional management and operations, the evaluation cited “warm relations with the Finance Committee” and municipal offices. The committee was “impressed with how quickly he adjusted to his new role,” and how he committed resources to facilitate remote learning options. Conrad also “took efforts to make staff feel safe.”
Also addressed was the category of family and community engagement. “There was no honeymoon,” the evaluation stated. The superintendent was praised for efforts to reach out to the community, including comprehensive weekly updates, in a “consistently positive and collaborative manner addressing competing interests of parental constituencies.” Brosgol added that Conrad “listens to parents’ concerns even if he doesn’t agree with them.”
The superintendent recognizes and supports families “in our three diverse communities,” the committee said, referring specifically to the BHS population from Bedford, Boston, and Hanscom Air Force Base. Conrad, Brosgol noted, is “genuinely committed to making schools and classrooms more culturally responsive.”
Proficiency also was cited in the category of professional culture. “He always is reflective and takes responsibility for missteps,” Brosgol read.
“We know next year will be a bear of a year, I trust this committee and Mr. Conrad to do the right thing,” Brosgol said. Assuming Covid restrictions are relaxed, “We are going to benefit from the community getting to know you better.”
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
Loading ...
