Superintendent receives support from teachers

Feb. 22, 2018 | Payton North
payton@thereminder.com

Superintendent Dr. Martin O’Shea was the topic of discussion at the Feb. 14 Longmeadow School Committee meeting, with countless district teachers, faculty members and staff sharing their support for O’Shea in light of the School Committee announcing their review of O’Shea’s contract a year early.
Photo courtesy: LCTV.

LONGMEADOW –  The Longmeadow School Committee met on Feb. 14, and while general meetings aren’t usually heavily attended, room A15 in the Central Office on Bliss Road was overflowing with roughly 75 to 100 concerned teachers, faculty and residents following hearing rumors of the School Committee and Superintendent Martin O’Shea’s alleged tensions.

Fellow educators showed their support for O’Shea wearing matching red shirts from the Longmeadow Education Association that read, “together we teach” on the back.

At the start of the meeting O’Shea was afforded a few moments to share comments to those in attendance.  He noted that together he and the School Committee share the passion for growth and development of students, and both take this seriously.

“Obviously, there’s been a great deal of tension in the community regarding my contract and there’s a few things I want to emphasize as we start the conversation tonight.  Throughout this episode, I want to emphasize that the School Committee and I share an understanding of how critically important a productive relationship between the School Committee and the Superintendent is, it’s never been a doubt for me,” O’Shea said.

Following O’Shea’s comments, School Committee Vice Chair Russell Dupere explained that the Committee has received numerous emails from members of the community with concerns, so much so that it wasn’t physically possible to respond to them all.

“I know there was some chatter online and on social media, I want to be clear about where we are. What did not happen so far is the committee did not take a vote to terminate Superintendent O’Shea, that hasn’t happened. The Committee has discussed doing his evaluation and doing that relatively soon,” Dupere said.

He continued, sharing that on Feb. 8 the School Committee did receive a letter from O’Shea indicating that he would resign.  Speaking to the letter, Dupere said, “I think when you submitted resignation, there was a lot of conversation back and forth and I think we may have been talking past each other, potentially.”  He then prompted O’Shea to comment on the letter.

“I think when you get involved in these conversations, they’re difficult, they’re trying and frankly attorneys are involved and things can potentially get lost in translation,” O’Shea explained. “Tonight, I’d like the Committee to consider, and perhaps it can’t happen tonight but I’d like the Committee to consider if there is another way forward other than the resignation based on my understanding of where we are today as a group, and I’m hoping the Committee will take that under consideration.”

Responding, Dupere commented that he thinks that the general message is that there are issues that need to be addressed between the School Committee and the Superintendent, this wouldn’t happen during the meeting, and that they would need to figure out if they wanted to structure said meeting with or without attorneys on either side involved.  O’Shea responded that he preferred authentic, genuine conversation and didn’t want to involve attorneys if possible.

The group then opened the floor for public comment, which consisted of roughly 45 minutes worth of fellow faculty, educators and administrators defending the work, professionalism, commitment and approachability of O’Shea.

Longmeadow’s Center School Principal Donna Hutton read a letter which was signed by herself as well as nine other key players in Longmeadow education, including Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Thomas Mazza, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Learning Susan Bartrand, Director of Pupil Services Gene Fontaine, Director of Technology Nick George, Principal of Longmeadow High School Tom Landers, Glenbrook Middle School Principal Nicole Allen, Principal of Williams Middle School Neil Gile, Blueberry Hill Principal Amy Bostian, Wolf Swamp Road School Principal Beth Nelson.

“The administration team noticed three executive sessions posted to discuss Superintendent Marty O’Shea’s contract. Given that this is highly unusual one year in advance of the end date for his contract, we are untidily concerned and unsettled,” she continued. “We feel it is also important to state we are stunned.”

Hutton read the letter to the Committee and her fellow educators for several minutes, sharing why they believe O’Shea is fit for the position he is in as a leader.

“Successful organizations such as the Longmeadow Public Schools demand excellence in leadership. In Marty we have discovered not just a commitment to excellence in all of his endeavors, but excellence as a habit of mind because he not only works hard, but thinks hard and reflectively. Our administrative team experiences newfound successes and purpose with Marty’s leadership,” Hutton read. “Before Marty joined our district, our administrative team yearned for a leader who would move us forward together. Marty has proven to be that leader.”

Hutton closed the letter by stating that O’Shea is their mentor and leader, and has rightly earned the groups deep respect.

Longmeadow Education Association President Kathy Russotto came before the School Committee and spoke briefly, stating the membership is left “feeling uneasy” and that there is a “lack of transparency” regarding O’Shea’s status.

“A change in leadership would negatively impact the learning environment for staff and student, past, present and future,” Russotto stated.

Wolf Swamp Road School first grade teacher Rebecca Powell along with Wolf Swamp math specialist Nancy Moriarty shared that O’Shea “has support of veteran staff and new staff who all feel supported and trust his leadership.”  They continued that they feel O’Shea is approachable, accessible and transparent in buildings and classrooms on a regular basis.

“He’s shown that he cares about the whole child,” Powell said.

High School History teacher and member of the Department Chair Committee Megan Schwartz along with Business and Technology teacher and Chair of the Business and Technology Department Matt Flanagan expressed their support for O’Shea through their experience with him by way of feelings of trust, his skills and O’Shea’s personal approach.

“We know we’re all rowing the boat in the same direction, and he’s with us in our boat.  Not all Superintendents are in the boat with their staff,” Schwartz said.

The letter they read was signed by 11 staff members.

Dianne Georgantas, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent shared that she has worked with the last five superintendents that the Longmeadow Public Schools has had, and explained her admiration for O’Shea.

“Having him as Longmeadow’s Superintendent is right. I strongly urge the School Committee to work with him, build bridges, resolve conflict and improve communication. Keep your eyes on the child learning,” Georgantas said.

Over 10 additional educators and members of the community shared their thoughts, all sharing the same sentiment: O’Shea is the superintendent they want for Longmeadow schools.

Public Comment came to a close, and Dupere explained that moving forward the public will most likely see another executive session listed on their agenda as there are some conversations that the Committee may want to have with O’Shea in executive session.  He added that this should not cause community members to “jump to conclusions” and that this doesn’t mean that “something dramatic is going to happen right after that meeting.”

Dupere shared it was obvious both the School Committee and the Superintendent needed to have further conversation. “I know that Marty and the Committee maybe didn’t completely understand each other on some of those points, and I think we’re going to try and do better going forward.”

From the student seat on the School Committee, High School student Brahadesh Slvakumar stated, “I know a lot of kids at the High School love Dr. O’Shea, and we’d love to keep him as superintendent.”

An agenda for an upcoming School Committee meeting had not been posted by the time of print.

To watch the full Feb. 14 School Committee meeting, go to LCTV's broadcast at https://livestream.com/longmeadow/events/8057932/videos/170243102.

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