Stephen Donovan, superintendent of the Acushnet School District, told the School Committee about his efforts in early education and budgeting on Wednesday.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The community heard on Wednesday from the second of two finalists for superintendent of schools.

Stephen Donovan, superintendent of the Acushnet School District, toured the North Adams and met with City Councilors and other community leaders prior to the evening interview with the School Committee.

The committee had intended to vote on the candidates following the interview but the decision has been delayed until Monday, April 25, because of the absence of two School Committee members. Karen Bond was unable to attend Donovan's interview and Monday's interview with Barbara Malkas because of illness; Heather Boulger was absent on Wednesday because of a family emergency.

Mayor Richard Alcombright, chairman of the School Committee, stepped into ask questions on both evenings and later said both School Committee members were being provided with recordings of the interviews by Northern Berkshire Community Television so they would be able to discuss and vote on the candidates Monday.

More than two dozen people in all attended the public interview in the City Council Chambers.

Donovan was asked the same dozen questions that had been posed to Malkas. The North Dartmouth resident took about 50 minutes to discuss his educational philosophy, his experience and efforts made at his school district on academic achievement, collaboration and communication.

He had aspired to be a high school history teacher but found an interest in student counseling and "had a meteoric rise up the ladder" to become superintendent of the kindergarten through Grade 8 school district a decade ago.

"I've  been exposed to everything under the sun," he said. Because his district is small, "I am directly involved or indirectly involved in everything that goes on."

Donovan said that included budgeting, strategic planning, collaborations, writing grants, etc.  

"I think that experience and that time as superintendent would translate nicely to North Adams," he said.

One of Donovan's prime efforts at Acushnet has been keeping budgets in line, a difficulty he noted many school districts are grappling with.

"It's been over the last 10 years trying to find any way possible to cut costs in areas that doesn't affect children," he said. "I think that's been my biggest accomplishment over the last 10 years."

During that time, Donovan said the district was able to have a net positive in positions by reducing costs through energy savings, making cuts in targeted areas, by charging for facility use and by joining two collaboratives to save money through purchases and sharing of services and positions.

Another savings has come through investment in early education with the introduction of universal all-day kindergarten, doubling the preschool program, and focusing on intervention.
 

Donovan said he found the city an attractive place to live and work.

"We moved to universal full-day kindergarten, which has paid dividends because we've seen less students in special education, our percentage in special education has gone down," he said. "We've embraced PBIS [Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports]. We've brought that throughout the school district."

Being proactive in early education and interventions catches students before they fall through the cracks and may need more expensive educational costs down the road, Donovan said.

On communications, he said it was important for the superintendent to be "embedded in the community." That means being highly visible, attending community and school events and living in the city.

One way he's kept open communications and transparency in Acushnet is by keeping his School Committee regularly updated and attending parent-teacher organization meetings.

"It's important to build trust," he said, adding one of the best things he's done is start a Twitter account. "I'm  everywhere and I get to show everyone what's being done in the school system. ... if you don't do that, a lot of myths go around."

Donovan said his management style is collaborative and that he would look for partnerships for sharing costs and resources as he has done in Acushnet. His educational philosophy is to focus on high expectations from students while ensuring that they have the trust and support they need from their community.

That belief and trust may not be quantifiable but is crucial to success, he said. "It's not tangible but it's important."

"The purpose of public education is to develop our children so they are worthwhile citizens who give back to the community," he said. "Education is a big portion of the success of this community."

Donovan said he was excited at the idea of coming to North Adams, counting the scenery and cultural attractions, the "gorgeous" Colegrove Park Elementary School, E3 Academy and "a collaborative bunch people who really care about kids" as making the city an attractive place to work.

• Most Read

• Most Comments

• All News

• Blogroll

• Photos