School superintendent receives glowing review

Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Granatino received a glowing performance evaluation from the School Committee Thursday night, and he told the committee his success was due in part to the tremendous support and expertise of the staff.

Jeffrey Granatino

Granatino, whose contract expires on June 30, 2015, said he is very happy and proud to be Canton’s superintendent and is excited about the future of the Canton Public Schools.

School Committee Chairman Cindy Thomas compiled all the evaluations from the five committee members in the categories of leadership, human resources and professional development, relationships with the School Committee and community, financial management, operations, and personal qualities.

With 5 being the highest score in each category, Granatino received scores of 4 for leadership and financial management, 3.6 for human resources and professional development, 4.4 for School Committee and community relations, 4.25 for operations, and 4.675 for personal qualities for a total score of 24.925 out of a possible 30 points.

Thomas said it was a very positive and impressive evaluation and that the superintendent has a very favorable standing in the community. His goals for the future will be discussed at the next meeting. The lone mention of needed improvement was in the area of long-range planning for school building uses, technology, and curriculum and professional development.

Thomas said the committee appreciates the dedication and time that Granatino puts into the job. The committee noted how calm Granatino has been in stressful situations, including the unexpected resignation of the former Kennedy principal just days before the start of the school year.

Thomas said the committee has been impressed with Granatino’s representation of the schools with other town boards and committees and his willingness to attend many school and community events.

On leadership, Thomas said of Granatino, “We are quite impressed [with] your development. You are quite an effective leader in the district.”

On human resources, Thomas said Granatino has made several good hires and has established a good working relationship with union representatives. Professional development programs have also grown significantly under Granatino’s leadership, according to the committee’s evaluation.

On relationships with the School Committee, Thomas said, “You are an effective communicator. You keep us apprised and you take our counsel and advice on major decisions.”

Committee members were also impressed with Granatino’s handling of the budget last year and praised him as an excellent operations manager.

Overall, the committee felt that Granatino has been a great ambassador for the Canton community with his calm, respectful, and personable demeanor.

Granatino praised his leadership team as well as the teachers, clerks, food service and custodial staff. “We have a great team of professionals who give it their all and keep the kids focused,” he said. “There’s still a learning process for me and there is still a lot of work to be done.”

In other news from the December 6 meeting, the committee began the budget process for the next school year with a discussion of the capital budget. Finance Director Jim Murgia has given the schools a preliminary figure of $500,000 for cash capital and $655,000 for long-term debt.

Over the last few months, Granatino has met with school principals to discuss capital needs, and they have identified $2.5 million worth of requests. School Business Manager Ken Leon reported the preliminary recommendations of administrators, which will be reviewed and enacted by the committee at its December 19 meeting.

Cash capital spending will focus on three areas: building repairs, technology and program improvements.

Under building repairs, funds will be spent on exhaust fans at the Hansen and Galvin schools, security upgrades at all schools, and heating and cooling repairs. Administrators also recommended spending $145,600 on computer and technology upgrades and wireless conversions at the JFK and Luce schools — the last two schools to be converted.

Under program improvements, administrators are asking for Mandarin textbooks at CHS; a student needs assessment program for the Rodman Early Childhood Center; startup funds for the robotics program; visualizers at the Galvin Middle School; and math textbooks for the new elementary math curriculum.

The long-term debt budget has not been determined, but several needs have been identified, including CHS tennis court repairs, GMS gym floor repairs (estimated at $159,000), a new boiler for CHS ($160,000), roof repairs at the Hansen and Galvin ($2 million), and repairs to the CHS track and turf field.

The good news is that there is $160,000 in capital funds left over from previous years, which could be used for long-term capital projects pending the approval of the Capital Planning and Finance committees.

In other news:

* In an update and review of its policies, the committee banned the use of electronic cigarettes at all school buildings and grounds.

* Applications for the JFK principal position were due December 6 and a screening committee consisting of administrators, teachers and parents will begin reviewing applications soon. Granatino also announced that he has begun the search process for a new school business manager to replace Leon, who plans to retire at the end of the school year.

* The committee approved a waiver of building use fees for the JFK CAPT to hold its Winter Fling on February 1.

* The Community Preservation Committee was due to hear the committee’s application for funds for renovating the CHS tennis courts on Monday, December 9.

* Granatino announced the names of six CHS students who are moving on to a future competition following the Mass. Music Educators Association Southeastern District Festival held just before Thanksgiving. They are Sung Ahn, band; Rigel Galgana, orchestra; John D’Amico and Grace-Mary Burega, jazz; and Shannon Milewski and Staci Grant, chorus.

* The committee will next meet on Thursday, December 19. On the agenda are reports on school enrollment projections and future building needs; school start times for next year; and a vote on the capital budget for FY15.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Dec 12 2013. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.