Turnaround, not takeover, for troubled Randolph schools

By James Vaznis, Globe Staff

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education today unanimously approved a turnaround plan for the Randolph schools, in a move that will avert a state takeover of the beleaguered system.

Mitchell D. Chester, Commissioner of Secondary and Elementary Education, recommended approval of the two-year turnaround plan, which was crafted by Randolph over the past few months. In a memorandum to the board, Chester said he liked the plan's emphasis on implementing a standards-based curricula, especially in mathematics, improving performance of special education students, and raising the community's confidence in the schools.

Chester also said that town voter approval in April of a nearly $5.5 million property tax increase to support the schools showed the community was willing to take responsibility for improving the system.

"I am convinced that Randolph leaders have taken initial positive steps to craft a new, more collaborative working relationship with a shared focus on improving the quality of public education in the Randolph schools," Chester wrote.

A partnership, rather than a state takeover, is the approach the board has favored with other troubled districts.

The board designated Randolph as an underperforming district last November because of declining student achievement and massive budget cuts. Until April, voters in the town south of Boston for several years had rejected property tax increases for its schools, leading to millions of dollars in cuts and an exodus of students.

"Obviously, we are very pleased the board approved the plan and showed support for the work we are doing," said Larry Azer, Randolph School Board chairman. "They also expressed they would work with us for the next couple of years to make sure what we are working on is sustainable. That's good to hear as well."

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