Choosing a new superintendent

The School Committee is responsible for choosing our next superintendent. Arlington parents should expect a visionary leader as we hire a new superintendent. Here are the qualities I will prioritize: 

  • Build, train, and retain a world-class team. The superintendent sets the tone for team culture in the district, from senior leadership, to classroom teachers, to those who take care of our schools. The superintendent we hire will wake up every day wondering how to get the best out of his or her team, encouraging educational leaders who are continually striving to further hone their crafts.

  • Strategic Plan. Arlington continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. The superintendent we hire will look into the future and make sure we have the team and resources not just for a great school system today, but in the years to come.

  • Communication. The superintendent we hire will prioritize clear communication with the many stakeholders across the district. Families will have straightforward insight into the plans and actions of the district, and educators will have a clear vision to follow.

  • Educational philosophy. Educators have agreed on several basic tenets to prepare students for success: collaboration, project-based learning, and an emphasis on social-emotional learning. We will hire a superintendent that brings a well-reasoned and modern educational philosophy to Arlington.

  • Personal values. We will hire a superintendent who brings a positive attitude to work with not only when things go well, but also someone with the personality with whom to work collaboratively when things can be improved. Arlington’s next superintendent will be a valued colleague and someone students, families, and staff can all look up to.

Diversity and inclusion

More and more learners with different backgrounds are joining the Arlington Public Schools. Each of these learners enriches the district when we commit to giving an environment where they can thrive. On the school committee I will: 

  • Advocate for strategies I have personally seen work, including an emphasis on diversity in hiring, professional development for faculty and staff, and expanding both the quality and quantity of student resources.

  • Promote and facilitate the work of families and community members.

Long term planning 

Arlington’s population continues to grow, adding increased pressure to the school budget and facilities. I will work to ensure that the school committee takes a responsible, long-term view of the budget. This means: 

  • Careful, proactive planning. 

  • Responding to both family feedback and data.

  • Continually assessing the effectiveness of its programming and funding choices.

  • Ensuring class sizes and access to programming are equitable across schools.

Special Education

Arlington Public Schools needs to reprioritize our special education program. This is important both morally and fiscally: we will ensure that all students in Arlington are held to high expectations and are given the support needed to meet those expectations. A more comprehensive program will reduce the town’s reliance on costly outplacements.

School Closure

We face an unprecedented school closure which requires a two-fold response as we work to continually and iteratively develop a remote learning plan as well as a reopening plan.

Remote learning. The most important aspect of the remote learning plan is to be humble. We need to communicate clear initiatives and goals to families: health and safety (including nutrition), engagement, academics, and social-emotional. We must commit to continual listening to the needs of our students and families, and flexibility and adaptability on behalf of administration and faculty. Only with collaboration and good will can we move forward.

School reopening. We must develop a school reopening plan that includes a strong effort to communicate to families. First and foremost, we must be able to protect the health of students, families and our faculty. We need plans in place to address the massive social-emotional challenges that will be associated with the transition back to school, including allocating enough resources that our students are well supported and our staff well-trained. We need plans in place to quickly redefine traditional academic milestones for learners who have had widely diverging academic experiences during the closure.