Springfield officials hold meeting as search for new School Superintendent continues

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - As the search continues for the next superintendent of Springfield Public Schools, a meeting on Tuesday night gave the public a chance to weigh-in.

Western Mass News was at the meeting inside the Springfield Central High School theatre from start to finish for the Ad HOC Superintendent Selection Advisory Committee, it was meant to be a space for students and other community members to give input on what they want to see from the next leader of Springfield Public Schools.

However, that was not the only thing discussed.

Tuesday evening was an opportunity for the public, especially those from Springfield Public Schools, to share their thoughts on what qualities they want in the next leader of the school district, with current Superintendent Dan Warwick retiring after this school year.

But, there was also frustration expressed at the search process itself, as several people claimed there’s no student representation on the committee handling the search.

Ad HOC Committee chair Chris Collins told everyone there was an attempt at reaching out to get at least one student representative, but no one responded.

“The advertisement for the entire search committee was advertised in multiple areas,” said Collins. “It was not advertised in one. It was announced in all of the schools. It was on television. It was in the newspaper.”

However, students like Springfield Honors Academy junior Naomi Edwards said otherwise.

“Each student has a Springfield Public Schools email. I didn’t see that in my Springfield Public Schools email,” stated Edwards. “There was no Instagram post. There was no robocall, and I guess my disappointment with that is that I know they can robocall because they do it for snow days and what not.”

Western Mass News also spoke with Lee Burgess, a teacher at Stem Middle Academy who said there was no attempt to reach out to students

“They keep calling these meetings listening sessions, but it doesn’t feel like very much as being heard,” added Burgess. “Especially when I come from the perspective of thinking about student voices being part of the process itself. It seems a very large omission to have students not be part of the process.”

Despite these interactions, there were some who shared with the committee what qualities they are looking for in the district’s next superintendent.

Edwards was among them and said she believes that leader should accurately reflect the student body.

“We are predominantly a people of color. It shouldn’t be someone who gets hired through their connections, and not someone selected by staff within the not so neutral Springfield Public Schools district,” expressed Edwards. “Unfortunately due to miscommunication, I could not be a part of the screening committee which once again has no students and I would have loved to be on it if I knew that I could apply.”

Many said they want someone who’s highly qualified and is mindful, caring and understanding of all students, especially those from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Public safety is also a concern, following last month’s shooting incident at the High School of Science and Technology.

“That person would be able to come in and speak to those needs, but then also create a logistical environment wherein those needs can be met,” said Burgess. “We have bodies of literature, bodies of data and bodies of anecdotal data that tell us what keeps us safe and what makes our students safer. And I don’t believe that we are operating from that body of knowledge.”

We should note what was recorded today will be sent to the Springfield school committee.

The next community meeting for public input will be next Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Deberry-Swan Elementary School.

Naomi Edwards confirmed to us they will be in attendance for that as well as the rest of the public inputs throughout this process.

The hope is to have a final choice made for the position at the end of May.