The Town of Harvard has been fortunate to have the expertise of Dr. Joseph Connelly as Superintendent of the Harvard Public Schools for more than two years now. Dr. Connelly has reorganized our schools and due to his leadership we are on a path for continued success. He will retire at the end of this school year and the School Committee is faced with the challenge to find a highly qualified successor to Dr. Connelly.
I observed the School Committee’s interview with Dr. Linda Dwight, Principal of the Hildreth Elementary School on Monday evening, and I was thoroughly impressed with her answers to the Committee’s questions and her vision about what it takes to be a successful leader. As principal of the elementary school for the last two years, she is more than familiar with the educational needs and wants of our community. Likewise, she has been in daily contact during her tenure with the key stakeholders: children, faculty, and parents. If appointed as superintendent, she would have Dr. Connelly as her mentor through next June; thus her learning curve would be greatly reduced. What impressed me the most was her firm commitment to serve as superintendent for the long term. Her educational and leadership experience, knowledge of the community, and on-the-job mentoring are the key ingredients to a successful transition as superintendent.
This is an opportunity that should not be missed by our School Committee.
George McKenna
Old Littleton Road
