I saw the School Committee’s (SC) reviews of Superintendent Tom Jefferson on local TV. My conclusion: Harvard has a problem and it is not Dr. Jefferson. The problem is the SC itself. As aptly put by a committee member in a revealing statement, the committee is a “dysfunctional” group. And the cause of this dysfunction seems to be the poor direction and incompetent leadership of the SC, not the school superintendent.
I grade the SC’s performance with a “D”. My rating would be lower if not for the stellar work of some committee members, in particular, Stu Sklar.
The evaluation of a key administrative position should focus on major issues and important goals, for example: setting up and operating a high-performing school system; developing a highly regarded school program; maintaining a first-class teaching corps; adhering to a sound and realistic budget. Dr. Jefferson has excelled in all these broad areas.
These goals require a manager with a high level of professionalism and considerable leadership qualities. Sklar and Virginia Justicz seemed to recognize the importance of these qualities, citing Dr. Jefferson’s broad accomplishments and characterizing him as “pragmatic, thoughtful, and knowledgeable … as an educational leader and steward of school resources.” Contrarily, the negative comments of the chairman and other two committee members were rather inconsequential and puerile—missing two DEAC meetings, tardiness in submitting progress reports, etc. Patty Wenger suggested Dr. Jefferson improve his committee relationships and “bring the School Committee together.” What, may I ask, is the role of the SC and its chairman? It is not the role of the superintendent to bring the SC together.
My personal rating of Dr. Jefferson is a solid “A.” Harvard has an excellent school system, which is recognized statewide and nationally as such. As a former selectman, I view Dr. Jefferson as a cooperative official, a professional in the education field, and a real leader. And he has done good work under the direction, or lack thereof, of a dysfunctional SC—no mean feat.
On behalf of five grandchildren who are now in Harvard’s schools, I want to thank Tom Jefferson for the work he has done and continues to do.
Bill Ashe
Myrick Lane
