The Boston Globe is reporting that the Newton Teachers Association on Thursday cast a vote of no confidence in the city’s superintendent and called on him to resign over the handling of efforts to reopen schools this fall.
The union vote against Fleishman came just days before teachers returned to work Monday. The School Committee is expected to vote Tuesday on his annual evaluation as superintendent of schools.
Here’s the story for those who are Globe Subscribers
Does the School Committee, which just renewed his contract, now stand by him, or do they throw him under the bus? Does the Mayor offer her support or walk away?
It’s time for him to resign/be let go.
Hmm.
The Globe says that the School Committee will “vote Tuesday on his annual evaluation”. Paul Levy says they’ve already renewed his contract.
Doesn’t the evaluation come before the renewal vote?
My guess is the SC has not voted on things. I read the individual evaluations. The most positive SC members were Ruth Goldman and Emily Prenner. They were glowing. The most critical (I would not say “negative”), were Margaret Albright and Kathy Shields. I have been a critic of lax SC oversight of the administration. As such, MA and KS deserve some credit.
Here is a passage from proposed evaluation from the whole committee (from the August 25 documents). Try not to laugh.
David continues to provide strategic, thoughtful, and strong leadership for the district. He communicates continuously with NPS and the community to keep people abreast of the status of initiatives and changes to the plan. He engages the community through social media, email, and now Zoom meetings to get feedback and to understand where the district can improve. David has a tough job in a big district, and he keeps a lot of balls in the air, especially this year. At times, he seems tireless. David is willing to admit mistakes and work with his team to make the necessary adjustments to improve situation for our students and teachers. He is very supportive of educators and protective of their social and emotional well-being especially during COVID.
The renewal took place a few meetings back. The evaluation was discussed as part of it. I’m guessing the evaluation formal approval is just a technicality.
I can’t imagine a superintendent would want to stay in a job if he does not have the confidence of the teachers over an extended period of time. However, that does not mean that this is the time or the way to pave this departure.
From a governance perspective, I think the issue is this: The School Committee has been largely absent in framing the issue for the public. They’ve not set forth a case for why schools and how schools should open, and under what set of circumstances. They have failed, as a group, to collectively establish a process for seeking community input, outline expectations, set policy, and seek a sound plan from the administration that outlines milestones and requirements. And so, it’s no surprise that their administration is viewed by some stakeholders as having failed. Any blame that exists for this failed process and some astonishingly poor communication is equally the mantle of the School Committee.
This is not a corporate body, but the job of any good board is to have the back of its chief executive. I hope that in deciding how to respond to this vote by the teacher’s union, the Committee will be cognizant of the follow-on issues that any decision will create. For example, how will its next step influence the kind of qualified candidate the community might hope for for the next School district superintendent?
Paul,
From what I heard, Ruthanne outright lied about a particular part of the negotiation process. Is this accurate? If so, what falsehood did she make?
If you look closely, you will note that the assessment is ongoing. The SC members did already issue their individual assessments prior to renewing Fleishman’s contract, and they continue to assess his performance. As for the vote, I’d hardly expect Fleishman to throw in the towel and resign over a “no confidence” vote, especially where there’s no indication that the SC is displeased with his performance. Finding a qualified replacement would be a challenge in ordinary times without the backdrop of a pandemic. Assuming for argument sake that Fleishman did resign, I would expect that anyone thinking of applying would carefully consider the tone and quantity of public discourse before throwing a hat in the ring. And since a search ordinarily takes a year in ordinary times, it would be difficult to find a licensed interim superintendent at this hour.
Also, is there anyplace to access the full NTA proposed reopening plan? All I’ve seen is a synopsis of what has been proposed by NTA which is posted on the NTA website. Without access to the NTA’s unabridged plan it’s like trying to compare apples with oranges.
The School Committee did renew his contract, and I read the recent document (review?) about DF. Honestly, I haven’t like him since the plagiarism incident, but getting rid of him during a pandemic seemed like setting up NPS to be in worse shape. I am a parent, and honestly, we have never had a conversation. I don’t know many parents that have his ear. Am I a stakeholder?
During the pandemic he hosted many school based zooms. I attended the Brown Middle School one, and was waiting for the South one, but one was never scheduled. While I realized there was a student death in April, the parents needed to hear from him. We waited. Our principal sent a letter he was leaving. No South based Zoom meeting with parents was ever scheduled. South parents were disregarded (at least that is how I felt).
I hope in three years, we (School Committee) can agree to let him go. He knows he has a difficult position, because the year that David plagiarized, two other MA superintendents also did, and were fired. So, who is going to hire him. I will be nearly done with NPS in three years, but I hope the future school committee can let the man go. Show him the door. I felt this before Covid 19, and I feel like this now.
Jason, that’s a McCarthyism-like post. If you have knowledge of such a thing, document it. Don’t make an “I heard” kind of accusation and then impute the need to prove or disaprove it to others.
@Jason Colet – I agree 100% with Paul Levy on this … even more so because you started your comment by addressing Paul as if you were responding to something he said or implying that he has some secret knowledge.
If you’re going to publicly accuse someone of something please refrain from that Trumpesque approach “I don’t know …but people are saying”. It’s just a totally irresponsible way of spreading unsubstantiated rumors.
I don’t know, but people are saying Jason Colet ……….
He shouldn’t even be the superintendent IMO. He should have been out after the plagiarism. Or the coverup of anti-semitism. Or his mishandling of lead in the water. How is he still our superintendent after any of that? We truly need new leadership.
The SC voted UNANIMOUSLY to renew his term with a glowing “report card.” I find it ironic that somehow 2 of them are now being considered to be holding DF to the fire, when they were the ones that 1) voted to retain him for 3 years without even interrogating the return to school plan in June, July/early August. Smacks of cronyism. 2) the 2 of them — that hold themselves out as “supporters of the NTA” and also are highly regarded by some in the NTA, voted along with the rest of the SC, just last week (9-0) to go forward with the plan that the NTA is using as one of the basis of the no-confidence vote. I understand reading in these forums that MM is apologizing, but I still do understand how he/they could still vote for the proposal by SC if they had such reservations. Talk about having feet in multiple buckets.
I should have written “don’t understand how”… in the next to last sentence. Bottomline, I agree with many others that DF should be accountable, but each of the SC members haven’t done any better even after recognizing DF’s failures. Now, the biggest problem is at the top with the Mayor (who people shouldn’t forget is part of the School Committee.)
How does the reporting of the NTA’s vote square with the Forbes article Greg referred to here?
Could we hear here from an NTA official on that narrow topic?
The plagiarism incident soured me on DF. It smacked of hypocrisy given NPS position on student plagiarism. I also dislike the current plan for back-to-school. The question is,though, if DF is removed who replaces him. I doubt any other school official would be any better. The upper level administrators who might be promoted to an interim position are the same people that came up with the current inadequate plan.
A search for a new superintendent takes a minimum of one year, and given the pandemic, it could conceivably be two years before a new superintendent is hired. What I hope will happen is the SC lets DF know, most likely privately, that he is on his last contract. The SC can at least begin the preliminary search process discreetly in the next year for a replacement. The no-confidence vote was a protest vote; the idea being that the SC would take more action toward addressing the teachers’ concerns. If anyone has alternatives for an interim superintendent, including the NTA, please let us know.
The plagiarism incident was how many contract extensions ago? And the SC just unanimously approved a contract extension. The only confidence vote that matters to his employment is from the folks elected to oversee the school district. And those folks are responsible to the voters who will have a chance to show their approval or disapproval during the next election cycle for members who are up for re-election.
Our current school system governance process wasn’t designed to deal with this sort of crises, and the weaknesses are obvious. The School Committee appears to have failed to provide critical oversight. The Mayor and City Counsel appear to be standing back taking the approach that this isn’t our game…it’s too hot…let’s not get burned.
What’s desperately needed is strong oversight and executive leadership that crosses traditional boundaries. We need someone that steps up, says I’m in charge, and moves mountains to make our schools function better, even during Covid. How have other cities we are compared to accomplished this, while we can not?
The plagiarism stuff was long ago. To me, that’s history. What isn’t history is the apparent inability to reach out and collect inputs and form consensus across all constituencies…School Administration, NTA, the rest of Newton’s government, and parents. Apparently there was no coalition building. We’re feeling this now.
Where does the blame fall? All over…but Dr. Fleishman certainly owns a lot of this. Honestly, so does the Mayor. Maybe she’s working behind the scenes in ways we do not see? Not sure. But she’s the only party with the authority and support and experience needed to bring it all together. Standing back and waiting to see what happens isn’t good enough…not for my HS student, and not for Newton.
The Mayor is a member of the School Committee ex officio. In that capacity, Mayor Fuller has attended and participated in every meeting this spring and summer. She is in no way standing back.
Michael: The Mayor should be in the forefront. Even if she was trying to move mountains behind the scenes, I would consider that a failure of her duties. She is on the SC. She is the one coordinating NHHS and NPS, and working what the NTA. She is head of our local gov’t. The Mayor is the one that should be using the bully pulpit if she is not getting what she wants from the NTA, DF or the NTA or anyone else. Instead, she is supporting all of them, by simply suggesting, they are “working really hard.” I honestly do not care if they are working 24/7, it is the work product that matters, and the work product is an utter failure. At a minimum, they are not working smart. She is the one that should be coalition building by sword or sugar. She is the one that should be rallying parents to support her — she knows the survey results — the community does support hybrid because the public health data supports it, the science supports it, common sense supports it. Just look at the numbers at deaths and hospitalizations. If you are over 75 or if you are immunocompromised (or require to live with someone who is immunocompromised) then you have a legitimate concern. I hate it when teachers say that there is risk of dying. Of course, there is risk. The question is “how likely and how grave is that risk?” There was legionnaire as a risk pre-COVID, but education did not stop then, but apparently it is a big issue to add to the “list’ now. Ventilation was a horrible problem beforehand, but it is huge problem now. There is an all-remote option for those susceptible to that risk, otherwise, like all members of society, we have to continue to move on and realize that education is essential. The mayor should be communicating this message — apparently, she believes it because she voted 7-2, and then 9-0, both times in favor of hybrid. Instead, she is hoping it all blows over. Maybe politically she is waiting for a vaccine. Someone should tell her that vaccination will not be a “cure all.” In fact, I doubt the numbers will fall better than where is today, or if it does then it will take years. Furthermore, where she could take direct action to bridge gaps, she has not done that either. It is plainly a colossal failure of the mayor and DHHS not to have a survelliance and testing program in Newton. I could understand why teachers would be upset. But everyone needs to remember that another year of kid’s education will be suboptimal. The vote of no confidence should extend to Mayor Fuller.
If you watch the School Committee meetings, Mayor Fuller has less to say that the student representatives. Probably has said less than any person on video. I think those who have 3 minutes for public comment use more time to be “engaged” than the Mayor.
@Susie Heyman the Mayor’s participation in the SC meetings has been lacking. She seems to sit back and add little value. They (The SC incl the Mayor) all should have pushed earlier to make sure a feasible plan existed, I know this situation is unprecedented and also constantly evolving but they should have had sound plans for all remote, hybrid and in person schooling. Those plans should have each been evaluated on what scenarios make them possible, what are the sticking points and what do we need to do to resolve those sticking points if the plan is otherwise feasible. The fact that they didn’t figure out that they don’t have enough personnel to make hybrid or all in person feasible is a huge error. I know that they were waiting on some state guidance but they should have been able to analyze their staffing and facilities situations in a high level manner to have an idea of what the potential issues could be. Fleishman drops the plans on the SC at the last minute and it makes them all look bad. At this point the Mayor should be saying this is an unacceptable situation (For hs in particular) what do we need to do and what resources do you need from me to get more kids in school. She needs to lead rather than sitting back and hoping all will get along.
As far as Fleishman I feel he is arrogant. He seems to think he is a bit smarter than everyone else. I’ve always been disappointed having watched many a SC meeting over the years how much the SC tells him how wonderful he is instead of holding his feet to the fire. They act more like they work for him than he works for them. Unfortunately now is not the time to replace him. He should have been fired after the plagiarism scandal but they renewed his contract at least 2xs since that incident, It hurts that he is the highest paid person in the City though I’m sure if he were fired he probably has a significant amount of severance pay in his contract. SC make him earn his pay. Challenge him.
@John Darling,
Your observations are quite interesting especially if you recall that when Setti Warren was mayor he nary said a word during school committee meetings. Indeed, my memory is he skipped a lot of them and when present was remarkably disengaged.
The Mayor is not in charge of the schools. As Ms. Heyman, a former school committee member already wrote, the Mayor is an ex officio member of the school committee but the people elected to be responsible for the school district and charged with that responsibility under state law are the 8 ward reps on the school committee. And the school committee must create policies that comply with both state and federal education laws as well as guidance from the Mass. Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education which has moved the goal posts multiple times this summer while NPS and the NTA have been trying to figure out return plans.
Yes, things are chaotic and not where anyone wants them to be, but just as we can’t wait for a vaccine, there’s not much hope of surveillance testing and contact tracing in NPS on the horizon either.
@lisap —
So, I’m not sure if you’ve been looking around the community, speaking with parents and teachers and students, but unlike when Warren was mayor, there is a big issue in the Newton community about schools since March, the concern with safety in schools, the planning for return to schools, teachers upset with parents, parents upset with teachers, most everyone upset with the SC and the mayor. This is probably the most important thing for many in the Newton community right now. Take a look at The Boston Globe? Is she pointing fingers even? No, she is saying, everyone is “working hard” and she supports them.
To put it another way… the Mayor is responsible for our budget. About how much that the budget do you think goes to education?
Who is responsible for putting together a survelliance testing and contract tracing in Newton? Not DF. That’s one thing is not directly responsible for in the schools, I’ll give him that. Oh, is it the Mayor? Or is that not her problem to help solve as well?
I’m not sure how you can excuse the Mayor’s lack of leadership. Even if she is not “directly” responsible for this (which I do not agree with), but let’s say she is indirectly responsible. What has she indirectly done visibly to lead on this?
I’m sure she is not responsible for fixing potholes either, but trust me, she has some “pull” via policy directives and budget directives to make that happen.
Wow. She is not “in charge of the schools.”… Wow.
@lisap Sorry, I was very emotional in my response, and I apologize. I’m just frustrated at our leaders. The mayor, DF, each member of the school committee – not one of them should deserve a pass – particularly after voting unanimously for the new DF plan. You didn’t deserve that type of response from me, and for that I apologize. I stand by my feelings on the Mayor’s lack of engagement, however. Please again accept my apology.
@John Darling,
I was not offended by your post, and I genuinely do understand your frustration. These are terrible, difficult and frightening times. Be well.
Lisap
@lisap Earlier you asked for the NTA proposal for school opening- the most comprehensive one I can find is here: https://www.newteach.org/nta-proposal (It’s a powerpoint that is essentially similar to the written document- I can’t find the written document on the NTA website but I know it is there somewhere…but this covers it all).
That’s Amanda!
I will check it out.
Correction- meant to say “Thanks Amanda!”
Might be time for reading glasses.
L.
Fair enough, Paul. Let me do some research and come back with my evidence.
DF really needs to go. Not only is he not able to lead, he is lazy, dishonest, and too arrogant to appreciate his intellectual shortcomings. It seems like he spends most of his time manicuring his public image rather than doing any substantive work. He plays fast and loose with the truth creating confusion and discord. You would think he would be smart enough to understand the importance of communicating during a time of crisis – we all understand this is an unprecedented situation and no one has all the answers. Even Trump gave daily briefings but since March, he’s been consistently behind the ball only emailing every couple of weeks with word salads. Had he done that, it would have made it a lot easier to hide behind his ineptitude. This notion that a plan is rigorous because you worked hard is laughable and completely JV. Since when is input a proxy for the quality of the output? This plan is basically just a collage of protocols that other work streams are creating, which I suppose is consistent with his track record.
I’m surprised a Ruthanne isn’t taking this opportunity to bring the community together. I was shocked during the SC that she passed when given the opportunity to ask questions. This is the biggest crisis the country is currently facing, but you don’t have a single question about the plan? The High school kids had thoughtful questions and you would think she would say something if not only to save face? I honestly thought that the wife of a founder of a consulting shop would have questioned the lack of scenario planning. This is the epitome of a kakocracy.
Ding, ding, ding! Village14 Word of the Week Award goes to Liz Benett for “kakocracy” – it sent me scrambling to the dictionary.
@jerry Reilly: appropriate don’t you think?
Hmm, it should be in the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards!