School board extends superintendent through 2015

The Canton School Committee, pleased with the performance of Superintendent Jeff Granatino, has extended his contract for another three years until 2015.

The committee did not formally announce the news at its meeting last Thursday; however, Granatino, speaking after the meeting, said the extension was finalized in a recent executive session.

The decision to extend Granatino’s contract was somewhat expected, as he had received a glowing evaluation before the end of the last school year.

Granatino said he was very excited about the opportunity to lead the Canton school district for the next three years. “This district is superb,” he said. “I have a great, hardworking and talented staff. It’s great to be part of the process.”

Much of last week’s meeting focused on the superintendent’s goals and objectives for the current school year. All school districts in Massachusetts are going through a similar evaluation process with their superintendents.

On a district-wide level, the superintendent and the committee set community and business engagement goals. During the 2012-2013 year, Granatino and his leadership team will make a presentation to the community (parents, citizen groups, businesses) at least once per semester, covering topics ranging from strategic planning and curriculum initiatives to budget matters and major policy changes.

In addition, the “Superintendent’s Corner” will air on Canton Community Television an average of once per month. The superintendent will also reach out to local businesses and find ways to create a link between the business community and the schools. And Granatino will continue to work with the School Committee to inform local boards on relevant matters throughout the school year, culminating in the annual town meeting.

The second major goal focuses on instructional leadership. During the school year, in conjunction with building principals and directors, Granatino will conduct “walk-through” visits to inform staff and administrators on the progress going on in the classroom and throughout the schools. Information gained through this process will be reflected in walk-through strategies set forth in the new educator evaluation tool beginning in the fall of 2013.

Meanwhile, in an effort to foster a professional culture within the district, Granatino will strive for more effective ways to address basic administrative tasks so that leadership meetings can focus more on matters related to instructional strategies, student achievement, and adherence to the district’s strategic goals.

The final major goal focuses on instructional leadership and student achievement. During the school year, the school leadership team will present MCAS data to staff members. In turn, the teachers will better be able to identify and address their students’ individual needs. Data will be distributed through each school via faculty, department and data team meetings. Schools will work to establish “homegrown” common assessments that will be used to track student growth in addition to the statewide assessments already taking place.

In other news:

* The committee announced a new three-year contract with the cafeteria workers union, which covers 24 employees. The contract calls for two percent raises in each of the three years. Granatino said there is an agreement in principle with the educational assistants, and the committee is closing in on a contract with the secretaries union.

* Granatino said the curfew on sporting events due to the recent mosquito threat (6 p.m. on grass and 8 p.m. on the turf) will likely remain in effect for another two to three weeks.

* New CHS Principal Derek Folan introduced to the committee his new leadership team, which includes Assistant Principal Henry McDeed and new Dean of Students Jim Goff. Goff has been a social studies teacher at CHS for 12 years and previously coached football and track. He has also volunteered as a chaperone for many school events and currently serves as a mentor to new teachers. McDeed informed the committee of recent changes to the school handbook, including a requirement that students turn off all electronic devices and new restrictions on do-rags and key ring chains.

* The Canton Alliance for Public Education (CAPE) has informed Granatino that the group will have enough leadership to continue this year. At the end of the last school year, CAPE officials said it would have to dismantle unless a new president could be found. CAPE’s first meeting is October 16 at 7 p.m. at the Armando Recreation Center. While the committee was pleased with the news, Granatino also announced that the Canton Athletic Booster Club is still looking for a president.

* School Business Manager Ken Leon said Canton is still in the running for a state reimbursement grant for window replacement at the Hansen and Galvin schools. The state asked Canton to hire an architect to determine the actual cost of the project, and the committee has authorized $15,000 for this purpose.

* Granatino announced that the accreditation review for CHS will begin the weekend of October 14 and last until October 17. Members of NEASC will meet with parents and staff and visit classrooms as part of the process.

* The School Committee will next meet on Thursday, October 4.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Sep 27 2012. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.