DESE Slide Presentation On Southbridge District Review

Let's Set The Record Straight

Ken O'Brien

Last night Rob Curtin of the DESE presented his report on the District Review of Southbridge schools.

Following the presentation, and several comments from School Committee members, Chairman Scott Lazo offered some closing remarks.

The gist of those remarks was that he and his three new colleagues on the committee marked a new day, distinctly different from the prior committee chaired by Lauren McLoughlin.

He particularly pointed to the search for a new Superintendent of Schools, not just now but in 2010 as well.

State Releases Southbridge School District Review Report

The state issued the result of its review of the Southbridge School District today. The report is based upon interviews conducted by personnel from DESE’s Center for District and School Accountability from October 19^th to October 22^nd . 

The release comes a day before the district is scheduled to host a visit from DESE Commissioner Mitchell Chester.

Below is the Executive Summary of the report (excluding the district profile and a description of the review process) .

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Leadership and Governance

Leadership in the Southbridge Public Schools is currently in a state of disarray. Since 2010, the district has been unable to sustain consistent leadership at any level. The constant change in district and school leadership is symptomatic of the discord that has taken place on the school committee, which has not adhered to its appropriate roles and responsibilities. The school committee has involved itself in the operations of the school district in order to advance personal interest, and interviewees told the review team that the school committee recently exerted its influence into the personnel matters of the district and misappropriated district funds.