LONGMEADOW – The Longmeadow School Committee will now be searching for a new superintendent for the school district to begin on July 1, 2019 following an at times contentious and well–attended meeting of the School Committee on Nov. 14. Despite many members of the community speaking in support of Longmeadow Superintendent Dr. Martin O’Shea’s leadership, O’Shea’s contract was ultimately not renewed in a 4 to 3 vote.

Many Longmeadow Schools staff members, parents, students and local dignitaries attended the meeting, with most displaying their support for O’Shea’s contract renewal.

Principal of Center School Donna Hutton stated to the School Committee, “We welcome open discussion, different points of view and insights of others. Marty leads us by modeling this expectation,” she said. “We move forward with professionalism and remember our goal is to serve our students and serve them well. We will not always agree with one another, but we fully commit to working with you.” Principal of Williams Middle School Neil Gile stood with Hutton and echoed her sentiment.

Longmeadow Education Association (LEA) President Kathy Russotto came before the board and stated that earlier on Nov. 14, the LEA took a vote of no confidence for the School Committee. Additionally, she shared that on the night of Nov. 13, more than 100 educators and students stood outside in the cold to let the public know that they believe the school district is heading in the right direction from O’Shea’s leadership.

“He’s proven himself to be an excellent leader who can manage day to day issues that arise as well as map out a strategic plan for our schools and most importantly our students,” Russotto said. She continued to add that the LEA wants the School Committee to renew his contract and stated that they all share the common goal to provide the best opportunities for Longmeadow students and provide the support for their needs.

Both Longmeadow Fire Chief John Dearborn and Police Chief John Stankiewicz expressed their support for O’Shea, noting many programs for school safety that have been implemented since O’Shea began working for the Longmeadow Schools two and a half years ago.

“I’ve worked with four superintendents [over the years]. We have accomplished more to improve school safety in the last two and a half years than in the last 10 years,” Stankiewicz related.

Parents Randy and Amy Davis stood and shared their support for the School Committee, Randy explaining that the Committee is in a volunteer position and that the Town chose these individuals for this job, Amy, stating overall health is of importance to her as a mother and she feels Longmeadow Schools are not healthy stress–wise.

“What I hear in the grocery store and the sidelines, I hear about how stressed out everyone’s kids are. What has been made clear to me is that the longest lines are at a tutors office or a psychologists office in Longmeadow. It makes me sad that we all want to rest on the laurels of how fabulous Longmeadow is,” Amy stated.

At the start of the meeting School Committee Chair Beth Baron had stated there would only be 30 minutes of discussion from the public on this topic. At the 35-minute mark she attempted to cease discussion, however School Committee member Armand Wray moved to appeal to allow more than 30 minutes. The appeal moved forward, and the Committee continued to allow comments from the public until everyone who had signed up to speak had their chance.

Seventh grader Cecilia Allentuck spoke and told the Committee about how much she loves school and why. She then stated that all the reasons she loved school wouldn’t be possible if O’Shea wasn’t Superintendent.

“He’s very friendly, he’s always in support of every student, teacher and activity,” she said.

As a resident of Longmeadow for 19 years and a teacher in the Hampden Wilbraham Regional School District (HWRSD) for 25 years, resident Dough Cummings explained he had worked for O’Shea for many years. He explained he had mixed emotions when he heard O’Shea was leaving the HWRSD, but was thrilled he was bringing his expertise to Longmeadow where his children go to school. He then strongly urged the School Committee to renew O’Shea’s contract.

Cummings daughter, Julia, and a student at Longmeadow High School (LHS) explained that one of the many things she admired about O’Shea was that he makes himself available students. In a presentation with state Senator Eric Lesser at LHS that day, Julia said Lesser stated that “Government works from the bottom up, not top down.” She then added that when O’Shea takes part in activities at the school, he better understands the bottom, the students.

One resident, Kevin Shea, stated that he had heard people say they believe a negative vote will affect O’Shea’s career. To this, he disagreed, explaining that other towns will think Longmeadow is “crazy” for letting “someone like that go” and they [other towns] will be happy to hire O’Shea.

“We’ll never hire another person as good as Marty if we do not renew him. It will take a lot of time to repair this,” O’Shea exclaimed.

Parent Jen Flacone shared that it’s her “sincere belief” that the district is in trouble.

“Although I understand the staff and administration want to work with him [O’Shea], he has to work up and work down...I support the School Committee and commend their courage in making a choice even though it might not be a popular one,” Falcone said.

While there were a slew of additional resident comments, state Representative Brian Ashe closed out the public comment section of the meeting stating that over the 25 years he’s lived in town, he has spent eight years on the Select Board and the last 10 years as a state Rep.

“Not all superintendents over the years have been great,” He added, “As elected officials we have a responsibility, I know when I make votes, and I take votes I’ll do my homework, I’ll look at both sides of an issue, and I’ll make my decision based on what I believe is in the best interest of the people that I serve, the people that put me in office. But every now and then, an issue will come up that is more personal, an issue will come up, that I really need to listen to the people that I serve. This is one of those issues. This is a personal issue and I think the people here have spoken loudly. We serve as elected officials, this isn’t about me, this isn’t about you, I mean it’s about Marty, but really, it's about these young men and women who are here, some of our seniors, juniors, sophomores or the people who will follow them, its about them, and the decision we make here today will have a lasting impact. I’d ask that you listen loud and clear that the people, their parents who put you in office, they’re telling you something. They’re telling you loud and clear what they want to happen and I hope you’re listening to that with clear vision.”

After the public comments were closed, School Committee member Bronwyn Monahan made a motion that O’Shea’s contract be renewed for three years. The motion was seconded, and open to the Committee’s discussion.

School Committee member Ryan Kelly shared that he is the Chair of the Evaluation Subcommittee, and they’ve discussed the issue extensively.

“I urge my colleagues to support this superintendent and the direction the School Committee is going,” Kelly said, and was met with applause by the public.

School Committee Clerk Stephanie Jasmin stated that as a third–year School Committee member she’s watched O’Shea work through three School Committee years with differing leadership. She noted the unanimous vote of “needs improvement” which was taken in the spring, and said she would not be voting to renew O’Shea’s contract.

When it came time for Bronwyn Monahan to speak, she said she had been excited when she decided to run for School Committee in 2018, and when she was elected, O’Shea immediately reached out to her.

“I’ve worked for several superintendents and I’m certain he’s [O’Shea’s] among the top I’ve worked alongside,” Monahan said. Continuing, she noted she has never witnessed a community come together for any public official in this way. “These issues have little to do with the district. Whatever is best for the students I will always stand for, in this case, O’Shea is best.”

School Committee Vice Chair Kerrin Morrin addressed the public, stating “Many of you are asking me to replace my truth with your truth. You’re asking me to throw away countless hours I’ve worked with Dr. O’Shea, to throw away my judgment, to throw away my experiences, so my judgements conform with your views and experiences. I cannot, and should not be expected to do that.

“Most critically, Dr. O’Shea continues to fail to promote a shared vision between the board and administration, build consensus, or manage conflict. A culture of us versus them continues to be fostered whenever Dr. O’Shea sits back and allows board members to be disrespected by his staff and he does nothing about it,” she said, to which residents in the crowd expressed exasperated sighs and exclamations. Morrin said she would be voting for non-renewal.

School Committee member Melanie Rothstein said that she does not dispute the testimonials from townspeople and O’Shea’s relationships with staff, the community and students. She then listed a series of seven reasons which led her to her vote against non-renewal of O’Shea’s contract.

Armand Wray explained that he knows this Committee is not an easy board to serve on, and he was amazed at the outpouring of support for O’Shea.

“Two things have been really hard for me: communication is a two-way street, a bridge has two ends and we have to meet in the middle. From what I’ve seen in the last two months, that hasn’t happened. It’s a one way looking to see how Marty is not going to do something as opposed to how Marty is going to do something,” he said, which was applauded by the public.

Continuing, Wray explained he felt that when there is an employee who has a needs improvement plan the employee should be given every opportunity to succeed and that he did not feel O’Shea had been given those opportunities.

Given an opportunity to speak, O’Shea began to respond to Kerrin Morrin’s comment to which she stated she did not want a superintendent who was content with the status quo.

“The notion that I’m content with the status quo is unfair. If you’re looking for failure, you’re going to find failure. A lack of professional development and networking? I have 25 years of experience as an educator,” O’Shea exclaimed, continuing to share all of the recent seminars he’s taken part in that involve professional development.

He continued to share a list of 14 things that are in place now that were not when he first came to Longmeadow, including a District Safety Team, a standards–based report card, a collaboratively developed fiscally sound budget and a District Parent Advisory Council to name a few.

“I stand confident that my leadership has made an important, positive difference in the lives of students and the work of our educators and today I stand and remain confident that a contract renewal is in the best interest of LPS students and the wider community, and I am seeking contract renewal,” O’Shea stated.

Closing School Committee remarks, Beth Baron stated she was “bringing it back to the facts” and explained that the district spent money on an expensive, talented mentor for seven months for O’Shea to utilize to help him be successful, she believes she has set him up for success. Baron continued, stating when she became Chair of the School Committee she gave O’Shea a clean slate.

“I never expected perfection, but I did expect progress, and I have not seen sufficient progress in your job performance,” she stated. She then added that she feels O’Shea would often work behind, around, or not with the School Committee at all. “This is about how ineffective I see you in terms of your job and how it impacts our students.”

At this point in the meeting residents once again disrupted, exclaiming their disapprovement in Barons comments.

“I can no longer spend all of this time focusing on all of your ineffectiveness. I’d like to get back to the work of moving the district forward and its students,” she closed.

The Committee revisited the motion to renew O’Shea’s contract for three years, however only members Armand Wray, Bronwyn Monahan and Ryan Kelly voted in favor, with Melanie Rothstein, Stephanie Jasmin, Kerrin Morrin and Beth Barron against. Quickly, Wray attempted to move to extend O’Shea’s term by one year, which was seconded, however the votes remained the same.

Instantly residents shared their displeasure to the board with one resident stating, “Good luck with failure.”

Baron said that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) would do a presentation to recruit and select a new Superintendent to be hired for July 1.

O’Shea asked that if members of the community and staff continue to want to be engaged in this process that they please be engaged respectfully.