Left In Lowell

Friday night, the Lowell School Committee held the second of two Special Meetings to interview the four final candidates for the position of Lowell School Superintendent.

Lowell Telecommunications Corporation has already posted the four interviews on their web site (nice work LTC staff). If you have some time or want to catch part of the interviews, at least try to catch their opening and closing statements, here are the four links:

Paul Schlichtman

Wendy Jack

Portia Selene Bonner

Chris Augusta Scott

I watched the four interviews and attended the special Monday night meeting where the School Committee discussed and decided on the procedure of these interviews.

I found all four candidates to be talented individuals but it was the personality and temperament of Schlichtman and Scott that impressed me. Scott interviewed very well; she came across has a talented, confident individual who is on a mission. I am not sure if the political culture in Lowell is ready to embrace someone like her.

On his blog, Dick Howe posted on each candidate at the conclusion of the interview. He also commented about the Jekkyl and Hyde changes of some of the Committee members when they interviewed the two insiders (Schlichtman and Jack) on Thursday night. I agree with him. Again, this has to do with Lowell superintendent politics.

The final decision will be made on March 24th; interestingly enough that is around the tine New Bedford will make their decision. Both Bonner and Scott are finalists there also. If Scott or even Bonner are chosen, I do not think they will come here for the $145 - $165K salary that the School Committee is offering. Oh, yeah, they are giving them 4 week vacation. That’s really generous (snark!).

In spite of the Lowell Sun speculating that Lowell High’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Wendy Jack, may have the support of three School Committee members. This morning the same column states, “Martin, Doherty, Leahy, Leary and Caulfield are keeping an open mind on the outside candidates.” If the new Superintendent is elected 4-3 or even 5-2, can we please move on and put the divisive issues of the past year in the rear view mirror?