The Most Important Job of a Board of Education
Being in charge of a local school district is one of the most challenging and thankless jobs in any community. Superintendent Montini led NPS through a particularly challenging time in its history which included a global pandemic, significant budgetary obstacles and a challenging national environment to attract, retain and professionally develop educators. He should be commended for his commitment to our district, tireless work ethic and composure when faced with making decisions that would inevitably by criticized by certain stakeholders.
The vacancy in our superintendent position imposes significant responsibility on the BoE, but also presents great opportunity. There is no more important job that board members have than choosing a strong educational leader, nurturing and supporting that person’s professional growth and holding a superintendent responsible for implementing the vision of the district and community. Finding the right person is difficult but critical. This will not be easy, but our search should focus on a new superintendent who has the most experience, wisdom, temperament and moral compass to meet the following:
Educational Leadership
Our district is a microcosm of America. Our students come from diverse socio-economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds and possess a wide range of educational abilities, talents and challenges. Our next leader must simultaneously provide an educational experience that both challenges and prepares our students for the rigors of learning at the next level while holding students accountable who struggle with various needs. This is not mutually exclusive.
Communication
The digital age requires a level of communication and transparency that is not always the strength or focus of educational leaders. Even the perception of failing to communicate in a community like Naugatuck creates mistrust. We must find a leader that has the skills and confidence to keep our community informed, even if the information is not what everyone wants to hear.
Professional Development
Being an educational leader, classroom teacher or frontline support staff member is one of the hardest jobs around these days. No decision by a superintendent will be universally supported, but those who spend their stressful days in our buildings need to know they have an educational leader who will hold them accountable but always have their back when the inevitable difficult day happens or stakeholder complains. This requires a superintendent with thick skin, compassion for employees and ability to get the best from every educator in the district. Much like our students, educators are lifelong learners who need excellent, consistent and frequent opportunities for professional development.
Management
Ultimately our superintendent is the head of the largest department in the Borough. This not only includes frontline educational staff, but facilities, maintenance, IT, human resources and finance. Our next superintendent must install a mindset in all of our employees that their primary job is to educate and care for our students, regardless of whether or not they interact with them on a daily basis. Leadership must instill a comraderie that eliminates the silo mentality and inspires everyone to work towards the district’s mission. In years past, we have worked with our municipal partners on back office functions and need to return to collaboration with the Borough when appropriate. We will always be limited by resources, but working smarter and more efficiently can help reduce strain on our annual budget.
Facilities
Perception matters. Unfortunately the outward appearance and conditions inside many of our school buildings sends a message to our students, families and staff that we are not putting our best foot forward creating a climate that is conducive to learning. The willingness of Mayor Hess and the municipal government to assume responsibility for many of the facilities duties will improve the situation, but our next superintendent must hold those responsible to ensure the outside and inside appearance of our school buildings present a welcoming, caring environment to encourage excellence.
