Left In Lowell

Just came back from the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee which took place in the Mayor’s conference room at City Hall.

I have to congratulate the whole Committee for coming up with a specific plan that will not only do the interviews of the School Superintendent finalists in a timely manner but will also assure that the other aspects of the due diligence are not sacrificed.

About a dozen community members were present as well as the Superintendent’s staff. Dr. Karla Brooks Baher advice and counsel during the discussion was invaluable. A number of times Mayor Bud Caulfield acknowledged how grateful he was that she was there and was participating.

The bottom line: this Thursday and Friday, the finalist will be interviewed. This Thursday, the School Committee will decided on the pay range as well as a potential pre-diiscussion prior to the final vote, which will be on March 24th.

On site visits will take place to the communities of the outside candidates; the out of town finalists will be invited to visit Lowell; conference calls will take place between our School Committees and those of the finalists; and finalists will be asked to provide a “portfolio” representing various documents and papers written by the candidates.

This meeting took place in a cooperative and friendly atmosphere. It helped that cameras were not there and the Mayor’s conference room is cozier than the City Council chambers. I think the School Committee members came to this meeting wanting and willing to come up with a plan that will be fair, open and comprehensive. They succeeded.