Cambridge schools chief vows to lighten up

CAMBRIDGE -- Superintendent of Schools Thomas Fowler-Finn, whose job is in jeopardy, said yesterday that he will try to soften his image as a crusty authoritarian and reach out more to the community in response to Cambridge School Committee members' complaints.

Fowler-Finn, who became superintendent three years ago, said he hasn't had much time to persuade people to like him in his time on the job because he has had to deal with failing schools, distressingly low MCAS scores, and resistant teachers. At Tuesday's School Committee meeting, he will face three members who are leaning toward pushing him out and three who are willing to give him another chance because of his promise to compromise. The seventh member has remained mum.

Fowler-Finn, 57, is ending his third year of a four-year contract, and if his contract is not renewed he would remain only through the next school year. His contract will automatically be extended for one year if a decision is not made by Aug. 20.

``There is no question, I am strong-willed," he said. ``But if I were such a completely unbearable person, you wouldn't find this kind of work getting done, because you have to get people on board to do these things."

Since Fowler-Finn took the helm, he has been praised for improving school finances, raising graduation rates and test scores, and establishing a standardized curriculum for all grades. Yet, despite his reputation as a skilled educator, some administrators, School Committee members, and parents say Fowler-Finn has alienated them and others with his top-down management style.

``He is a tyrant," said Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves, chairman of the School Committee and one of the superintendent's biggest opponents. ``And now that the contract is being reviewed he is prepared to have a complete personality change. It is miraculous."

Fowler-Finn said he tried to listen to others when making changes, but often just forged ahead and demanded that others follow. He changed teacher and principal evaluations to focus more on student performance and improvement. He also told teachers that they would have to give a district-designed assessment test to students three times a year, upsetting many teachers who already felt burdened with too many state tests. The community has a reputation of opposing the MCAS as well .

``When you talk about people being scared or afraid, this was the first time they were being held to a set of standards," he said.

Before Cambridge, he spent eight years as superintendent of Fort Wayne, Ind., schools and about seven years as superintendent in Haverhill. In both school districts, he was lauded for improving test scores and his emphasis on a strong curriculum, but was criticized for his brusque management style.

Yet, Fowler-Finn seemed surprised yesterday when told that Cambridge city and school officials had characterized him as scary, hotheaded, and unfriendly. Community leaders said he has made teachers and parents cry by screaming at them.

As he sat in his office decorated with Red Sox memorabilia, his three children's photos, and a sketch of a cat his oldest daughter once drew, Fowler-Finn said he just had to wait for the School Committee's decision.

``I hope yelling at people is the worst thing I have ever done," he said.

Cambridge was taken off of a state ``watch" list of failing school systems last month, and Fowler-Finn said he now feels he has time to relax and listen. If the board renews his contract, he said, he expects the gap between state and Cambridge MCAS scores to close significantly in the next five years.

Joseph Grassi , a School Committee member who plans to vote to extend Fowler-Finn's contract for at least one more year, said he is pleased with Fowler-Finn's vow to collaborate more.

``I am happy the superintendent has taken that tone," he said.

Cristina Silva can be reached at csilva@globe.com.