Board running behind on school chief's review

The contract of Superintendent Susan Parrella, who has overseen Waltham's schools since 1998, expires next summer. (Globe photo/file 2003)

Waltham School Committee members say collective bargaining has delayed completion of the annual performance review for the district's superintendent, Susan Parrella, now in the final year of her contract - a contract that may not be renewed.

Last year, the board's review was completed in October.

Susan Burstein, vice chairwoman of the School Committee, said its members have been preoccupied since April by its negotiations with the Waltham Educators Association. The extended talks with the teachers' union have delayed the setting of official goals for the current school year as well as Parrella's review, she said.

There's also some question about whether Parrella's contract, which expires next August, will be renewed.

"I don't know if the School Committee has clearly stated where they want to go. They know they do not want to continue with this superintendent, I think is the consensus. But I haven't heard what direction they want to go in," said Robert Cincotta, a longtime School Committee member who served as its vice chairman last year. Cincotta said he personally is satisfied with Parrella's overall performance.

"I feel she's an expert on education - she's a real education-minded individual - and all of her decisions are what she truly believes are in the best interest of all the students," said Cincotta. "She enforces policy to the T, and that's something I think is crucial. She sets an example for a very strong work ethic. And she's totally committed to the Waltham school system."

Mayor Jeannette McCarthy, who serves as chairwoman of the School Committee, declined to comment on Parrella's performance.

"What I will tell you is that from the past, the School Committee has been delayed in getting the goal-setting meeting set up and the evaluations, and the superintendent has asked that to be more on time. I will take responsibility for that as one of the seven members," McCarthy said.

Last year's review gave Parrella a score of 3.5 out of 5, with high marks for fiscal management, leadership in capital improvement issues, and efforts to improve the curriculum and instructional programs, but lower ratings for interpersonal skills and communication with the public and members of the school system. Parrella's salary is $148,522.50, according to the city Personnel Department.

Cincotta said that although some committee members have expressed dissatisfaction with the evaluation methods, so far no one has proposed an alternative.

Burstein asked at a Nov. 7 meeting that search strategies for finding a new superintendent be put on a future agenda. Burstein will step down in January, after losing her seat in the Nov. 6 election, but said that she brought the matter up so the other committee members can begin thinking about a possible transition if they do not renew Parrella's contract.

"I wanted to raise the issue, so we could have a conversation. I think they need to be looking at hiring a search firm ASAP. Certainly, you want to have adequate time while you are looking, because people are looking to be in a new position before the summer, generally," Burstein said.

The district hasn't faced the task of choosing a new superintendent in years. Parrella has led the school district since 1998, when she was named to replace Charles Gibbons as superintendent. She has worked for the city's schools since 1973, with her past roles including director of special education.

Stephanie V. Siek can be reached via e-mail at ssiek@globe.com.