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Evaluation Time

The School Committees of every community are charged with oversight for the budget, the policies and the evaluation of the superintendent for the districts they serve. Tonight, in Natick, we begin the Superintendent evaluation process. Virtual Meeting Link - 6:00 p.m.  

Background: 

Page 2 of DESE Model system guide for Superintendent Evaluation

These videos and this PDF explain the 5 step Superintendent Evaluation Process that Natick is piloting with other communities. It was developed in partnership with Superintendents, School Committees and the Dept. of Ed.  

While Natick has adjusted some of the evaluation to be in-line with the process outlined in the above resources, we are continuing to develop the full pilot program. 

Also, for a point of reference and a reminder that every superintendent goes through a similar process,  here is a slide deck from one of the initial meetings for the City of Boston's Superintendent evaluation (final evaluation 6/30). I appreciate the comment on slide 3 from the Boston School Committee putting this year's evaluation in context: "The fact that we have performance to evaluate is an accomplishment in and of itself."

Process: 

  • Next week, on Wednesday June 30th and Thursday July 1st, the Committee will meet without Dr. Nolin but in an open meeting, to discuss the evidence provided. 
  • Our chair will then write a summary document that will incorporate the points of the discussion, rankings and the committee's feedback for Dr. Nolin. Committee members will have a chance to weigh in on the summary provided. 
  • Then, a presentation of the evaluation will happen on Tuesday, July 27th to Dr. Nolin from the School Committee. 
  • In August, the committee will take a final vote on the evaluation and Step 1 of the process (self assessment) will begin for the 2021-22 school year.  

Parts of the Summative Evaluation (5th step in the cycle) 

1)   Performance Goals (determined by Sup. & approved by the committee in the previous fall)

Dr. Nolin's 2020-21 Professional Practice Goal 

Completion of the New Superintendent’s Induction program (final year).  I graduated from this induction program and successfully renewed my license.  As in prior years, I was also asked to present to new superintendent’s in this cohort and the cohorts behind this one due to my expertise in innovation and teaming.    MASS/Teacher’s 21 and Boston College continue to employ me as their doctoral program teacher for the superintendent training program, PSAP.  I also teach an SEL mini course in addition to my innovative teams course.  I continue to serve on the state superintendence women's leadership network board, the equity task force, and was recently elected to serve in the New England regional superintendents Association board where I will be a conference presenter in October in addition to leading the organization as a board member.  (NEASS). 

Dr. Nolin's 2020-21 Student Learning Goal 

During the 20-21 school year the superintendent will lead the creation, revision and implementation of systems, tracking, training and structures that promote safety (physical, social, and emotional) and consistency for all students, staff and families during the remainder of the pandemic/school year in collaboration with state, political, local, health and educational agencies.


District Improvement Goals

Natick uses the Strategic Plan for the district for this section of the eval.   

2) Standards & Indicators (agreed upon in the fall by the Committee and Sup.) 

Each committee is encouraged to agree with the superintendent in the fall about 1-2 indicators under each of the 4 standards that the Sup & Committee will focus on for the year.  The indicators Dr. Nolin for the 2020-2021 school year are in bold below:

The ratings for each of the indicators are all carefully determined using this rubric, for example when evaluating the curriculum goal in 1A:



Thanks for reading and staying informed!  








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