Harvard finds itself facing the sudden possibility that two of its three top school administrators might soon leave. Both Superintendent Thomas Jefferson and Harvard Elementary School Principal Mary Beth Banios are finalists for positions in other districts.
Superintendent Thomas Jefferson at a recent meeting. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Jefferson is one of three finalists for superintendent of the Masconomet Regional School District, which comprises the towns of Topsfield, Boxford, and Middleton. The Masconomet superintendent has jurisdiction over the regional middle school and high school. The district’s seven elementary schools, known as the Tri-Town School Union, have a separate superintendent. According to John Spencer, Masconomet School Committee member and Superintendent Search Committee chairman, a selection decision is expected to be announced at the Feb. 10 School Committee meeting. Spencer said that seven semifinalists were interviewed in mid-December, and a screening committee’s report on the three finalists they selected was given on Jan. 6 at a regular School Committee meeting.
Asked about the possible job change, Jefferson said, “I haven’t been actively looking for a new position. I’m delighted in Harvard and enjoy my work here.” He stated that he had received a call from a consultant in December 2009 informing him about the opening at Masconomet. He has also worked with Masconomet’s interim superintendent, Anthony Bent, through the ELNA Collaborative (Education and Leadership for a Nonviolent Age), a coalition based in Shrewsbury.
Banios is one of three finalists for principal of the Fiske Elementary School in Lexington. Fiske, with about 480 students, is one of six elementary schools in that town. Banios explained that the position offers opportunities from a professional perspective. “Unlike the private sector, however,” she explained, “in education you can’t explore those opportunities without jumping into the process.” She noted Lexington was a very competitive district and the selection process was far from complete.
Speaking of Banios’ candidacy, Jefferson stated that Lexington was “an exceptional district” and was very interested in her. “There are few principals with her level of experience,” he said, pointing out that Lexington “is not a starter school. And she is an effective manager and a strong leader.” According to Jefferson, Lexington is expected to make its decision within a week or a little more.
School Committee Chairman Keith Cheveralls said that Jefferson’s possible departure had been announced publicly to the School Committee on Jan. 7, at the same time a press release was issued by Masconomet about the finalists. Jefferson also informed the committee about Banios’s candidacy on Jan. 8.
Commenting on both potential departures, Cheveralls issued a statement saying, “High-performing school districts, such as Harvard, naturally attract the highest caliber of staff … It is inevitable, over time, that other districts will come to view our staff as highly qualified resources to potentially fill their own openings. Mindful of this, especially in view of recent announcements, the School Committee is committed to developing a timely and appropriate succession plan that strives to ensure the continuity of the excellence in education that Harvard values. More will be communicated as the process evolves.”
In a phone interview with the Press this week School Committee member Stu Sklar said of Jefferson, “Tom has done a great job, and losing him would hurt the school system. He came into a system that was about to be sanctioned by the Department of Education [for not meeting special education requirements]. He fixed it. We were in trouble with the Board of Health [about mold]. He fixed it. We were in trouble with NEASC [New England Association of Schools and Colleges]. He hired Jim O’Shea, and they’re fixing it. He was the driving force to get the Devens contract, which saved maybe 20 teaching positions.” Sklar added that education journals say it is particularly hard to find qualified superintendents now.
Asked whether the School Committee had in any way encourage the administrators to look elsewhere, Cheveralls responded adamantly, “Absolutely not.” He stated that Jefferson’s contract extends to August 2012 and, should Jefferson remain in the Harvard district, that contract will continue in force.
Cheveralls said that the School Committee will take up plans for potential administrative succession at its Jan. 25 meeting. He pointed out that most members of the committee do not have experience conducting a search for school administrators.
