On Monday night, after significant personal and public deliberation, I voted to extend Dr. Jefferson’s contract as the superintendent of the Harvard Schools. The decision about whether to extend his contract at this time has been a lightning rod for debate in the community, both inside and outside of the schools. It has certainly provided me with the most challenging choice I have had to make since I have been on the School Committee.
In the two weeks since our last meeting, I have gathered extensive input from the community. Some people have asked quite reasonably why we are having the discussion now when 21 months remain on his contract. Some of those individuals, it is worth noting, would really like Dr. Jefferson to be replaced or to have no superintendent at all. Others have wanted to learn more, understand what he has done for the schools, and judge for themselves whether they feel he has been effective.
Most people with whom I spoke were unaware that Dr. Jefferson had asked, as is customary according to our liaison at the Mass Association of School Committees, for an extension following his positive performance review last June. At that time, the committee chairman decided to postpone the decision until this fall so that it would not take place in the summer when no one was paying attention—a point of contention with the censure petitioners last year. Dr. Jefferson asked the committee to consider the request at this time because he feels that, without the support embedded in an extension, he would be prudent to consider employment alternatives outside of Harvard. Some have suggested his request was an attempt to strong-arm the committee, but I do not share this view. We are each responsible for our careers and livelihoods, and we all need to balance the responsibilities of our jobs with the needs of our families.
I am aware that Dr. Jefferson is not popular with segments of the community and faculty. Here are some reasons I find plausible for these perspectives:
- A less-than-effective communication style
- Concerns about the efficacy of curriculum changes at the elementary school, poor faculty morale, and a sense that the elementary school is not the warm, cohesive place it once was
- Tight fiscal times that make no leader associated with a large budget particularly popular
- Lingering unresolved accusations against him personally that have fueled a fertile grapevine
That said, why did I vote to extend his contract?
It is my opinion that Dr. Jefferson is a good superintendent who does his job well, and if he chooses to leave Harvard, we will find it hard to replace him with a more qualified superintendent without spending significantly more money—something most of his detractors would be unwilling to support.
Furthermore, there is a documented shortage of qualified superintendents, with numerous vacant positions in Massachusetts and many other states. Large numbers of administrator retirements and a shortage of school leaders who want to put in long hours confronting political intrigue, declining resources, and an abundance of under-funded state and federal mandates make it a very challenging environment for administrators. This shortage translates into costlier pay packages to lure good superintendent candidates.
Most importantly, however, I believe Dr. Jefferson has made some very positive contributions to our schools since he arrived in Harvard three years ago:
- He has vastly improved the budget process—much more transparency makes it clear to any interested party where the money is going.
- He has negotiated contracts to educate Devens students that, in total, will provide our schools with approximately $500,000 in non-Harvard taxpayer revenues annually.
- When Dr. Jefferson arrived in Harvard, the Board of Health was ready to shut down the elementary school “K wing” for mold issues; he worked successfully to abate this problem until it could be permanently resolved.
- He led the formation of a strategic plan with wholesale involvement from teachers, administrators, and community members. This plan, which addresses a number of specific concerns at both schools, is just beginning to be implemented across the district.
- He has hired individuals who are held in high regard by the community, including:
– Jim O’Shea, Bromfield principal;
– Scott Hoffman, promoted to assistant principal;
– Mark Force, facilities manager; and
– Pam DeGregorio, new Special Education director. It should be noted that Dr. Jefferson led an inclusive and thoughtful process for filling this position. - He has attracted and retained a cohesive and effective administrative team that problem-solves and functions well together.
- When he arrived in Harvard he inherited a mid-cycle review from the Department of Ed that found we were in systemic noncompliance of corrective action recommendations. The commissioner of education threatened to withhold both state and federal funding for this noncompliance. Tom and his administrative team quickly resolved the issues.
I believe that, as a community, we are conflicted about what kind of school system we want, what our educational philosophies at HES and Bromfield should be, how we can serve all different types of students in one public school system, and what we as a community want to pay for—small class sizes, athletic programs, technology, slow growth, open spaces, to name a few.
It is convenient, in the face of these challenges, to single out a high-profile employee and assert that replacing him with someone else will heal our divides. Will that really make us happy or is it human nature to have someone to blame? I believe it’s best to continue to work with the superintendent we have—who has undoubtedly learned a thing or two about Harvard—and parlay the concerns people have articulated into specific goals.
I voted to retain our superintendent because he demonstrates capabilities for an increasingly complex job. Going forward, we have a choice about the manner in which we channel our disagreements and anxieties as a town. I hope we can find ways to engage in a more fact-based dialogue and work together in a manner that is increasingly respectful.
Woodside Road resident Virginia Justicz is a member of the Harvard School Committee.
