Adnams was quickly corrected. It's Zach Mclaughlin the board has selected to take over the top administrative spot held for years by Frank Perotti.
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In the final minutes of tonight's meeting, Zach Mclaughlin accepted the position as superintendent with some brief off-the-cuff remarks, published below in their entirety:
I'm humbled by the choice that you made and I wanted to thank the citizens who came out, some of whom are actually in the crowd tonight. And the staff members who had a lot of interesting things to say as I walked. In some cases, people I had seen in a lot of other capacities. As I walked the schools, I had some great conversations with some folks. I had some wonderful conversations with Christian Craig over the course of the day, he did escort me around.
I did want to thank Martha who was exceedingly gracious in the way she conducted herself throughout the entire process. It's really hard when you have two people who work together so closely, who both want the best things for the District and both have some passionate ideas about what they want to do.
An' I just tell ya, I'm excited! I think whole through that night when we talked, you guys realized how excited I am about where the District's at. I really feel like we're on the cusp. And a lot of it goes to the work Frank talked about tonight. All the things that have been happening over the last several years have put us in a really good position to make some jumps soon. Sometimes, I know, when I talk with some folks, it's frustrating when you're going through this change process because you see, in terms of test scores and stuff, that maybe it looks like this, we're kind of growing like this, and it's not going to be linear, and there's going to be a point where we hit a tipping point where we're going to take off. All that stuff you saw tonight is real work that's really changed what's happening in our schools.
In the interview with some of the citizens, somebody made the point that they felt Springfield should be one of the best districts in the state... and Chris is here tonight... and I agree with him, I think we have that capability. I think sometimes, for a long time, some of the discussions have assumed we're never going to get to that point. I disagree. I think we have the ability to get there because of all the great work that has been done at this point. I really do think we are on the cusp, I think people are going to see some great things the next few years and its not about me personally, it's about the amazing work being done by a lot of people inside of this district. We just haven't seen all the benefits of that labor but I think its coming soon. So thankyou.
Frank Perotti recommends everyone view an online 17 minute video by Sir Kenneth Robinson. Here is the link to that video:
In this poignant, funny follow-up to his fabled 2006 talk, Sir Ken Robinson makes the case for a radical shift from standardized schools to personalized learning -- creating conditions where kids' natural talents can flourish.
Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson challenges the way we're educating our children. He champions a radical rethink of our school systems, to cultivate creativity and acknowledge multiple types of intelligence.
Every day is Groundhog Day in Springfield. The students are DOOMED!!
ReplyDeleteNonsense.
DeleteNonsense.
DeleteI am glad that we are finally taking advantage of our local talent.
ReplyDeleteI agree in the past we have gone outside the system and it hasn't worked, when you do that you have a tendency for people to start fixing things that aren't broken and reopening issues that had been settled in the community. Zack McLaughlin represents a chance for the school system to fix things that are broken and to start up some innovative programs to improve the schools performance. What we need to focus on now is getting the Town government straightened out and working with the school to clean up the Town.
DeleteNO, the teachers and administrators who aren't doing their job are DOOMED! The school board finally did something right.
ReplyDeleteI agree
Deleteagreed
Deleteif you all so psyched about just gettin that done..
DeleteI suggest you still go after the former people in charge for screwing everything up.
let the new guy know we're watching
Does this mean I get a pay raise?
ReplyDelete"...chairman Scott Adnams announced the next school superintendent -- Zach McNaughton!"
ReplyDeleteThe INEPTOCRATS strike again!
They haven't a clue who they're hiring; McNaughton, McLaughlin, MacArthur.
Based on the remarks recorded above, McNaughton, McLaughlin, MacArthur, or whomever...is not exactly a gifted orator.
The above poster is correct. The INEPTOCRATS have seen their shadow, indicating that it's going to be six more disappointing years for the town's school system.
Disagree. Zack McLaughlin is a young innovative and hardworking school administrator who is familiar with the strengths and weaknesses in the system and what needs to be fixed and what doesn't. His background in curriculum. We need to rally around the school board on this one, they made the smart move they kept a strong elementary school principal in place, and they opened the opportunity to eliminate a high salary position in the Central Office, namely the Asst. Supt. position. Now we need to focus on the Selectboard and eliminating the huge amount of Special Appropriations tha we have accumulated because the Town government has been offloading its responsibilities onto unregulated non-profits.
DeleteBridge for sale. Call Ethel...
Deleteweed be butter offed if they highered the crak cocain couple from da othe article.
ReplyDeleteyou guys dont even know his name...
ReplyDeleteYOUR ALL FIRED....
Zach is an amazing administrator. I am a parent in town and I have never heard a bad word uttered. He makes sure the staff is heard and listens and addresses the best way he can within the boundaries of his position. I am excited to see the benefits this decision will produce!!!!!!! Way to go Zach.
ReplyDeleteConfucius say better a known baby bird in the hand, than old birds in the bush, we see the school fly soon!
DeleteIf we look at history in our schools we can see that many positive changes began when Zach was Assistant Principal at the high school. Subtle changes have continued since he took over the Assistant Super position and I expect more will happen when his hands are not tied by administration. He has shown himself to be innovative and supportive to staff, parents and the community and his ideas are aligned with the direction the district hoped to move when preparing the Strategic Plan a few years ago. I don't expect him to make miracles, but I do think he deserves a chance to make positive changes in the way this district functions and I think he can do it.
DeleteOne down- (perotti) One to go- (Vogel) That woman has got to go. She is a clueless powermonger.
ReplyDeletejust like me!
DeleteTo the comment about sara vogel. Whom ever posted that about her being a powermonger is a LIAR!!!! As a parent of 2 special needs kids, Sara has worked tirelessly for them and the other kids eho need her. She personally designs many if the 504other and IEP's in this district and had for many years, on top of being disabled herself. Shame on tou for assuming you know what your talking about!!! If you want to talk powermonger, lets look at DANA JACOBSON-GOODHUE. The new principal at Elm Hill. Dana is on a crusade to rid the student body of anyone who doesn't fit her mold. Following and harassing students, cause panic attacks and kids running away from her at school. A 1st grader made it all the way through the woods to foods stop to fet away from HER!!!! Wanna trash someone? Trash her JOB!!!!!!
DeleteOn the Sarah Vogel issue. I will say that we are all entitled to our opinions. I am glad that she has brought forth assistance for your children 8:53am, but that is not always the case. Springfield's special ed and 504 programs have lacked for many years, long before most of our children needed services and probably long before Sarah took on the role. I only hope that your positive experience is the start of something good and not the exception rather than the rule.
DeleteIs this the woman that brought her dog to a school board meeting?
DeleteI see the town shills are out in force promoting the "new" Super that has no experience in leadership and who was part of the rottenness that pervades Springfield. These shills are the same clowns that promote every tax payer boondoggle and want your children to breathe polluted air for the sake of a few dollars for a select few. Hey it's Groundhog Day once again and nothing has changed.
ReplyDeleteInteresting how so many people get called "town shills", one would think that the Town is apparently nearly completely populated by "town shills" since anytime anyone endorses something that anyone or any board did is automatically labeled a shill. And anything done to try and improve the Town is always labeled a taxpayer boondoggle.
DeleteWhen it becomes obvious that the new Super is the same as the old Super you shills will drag out the excuses that you used before to explain away a failing school system..."it's the demographics", "bad parents' fault", "bad luck", "not enough money", etc.
DeleteI typically am not a promoter of Springfield and the decisions in this town. There always has to be a first step and there needs to be some optimism. You will never attract talent by always bashing anyone who tries to make a difference. Be a part of the solution and not the problem.
DeleteWhat an oxymoron anon2/6 @10am- " You will never attract talent by always bashing anyone who tries to make a difference." I find this an interesting contradiction. Where were your words of support for the families who came forward about the abuses taking place in the system? The families who fight every day, year in and year out, with the district over services for their children when the district is violating their rights? I didn't see you standing up applauding them for trying to change the system and make it better because essentially that is what they were doing for all the children! Instead you were part of the system who name called and labeled them troublemakers. I'm sorry but I don't have much faith in this guy. You know what? right is right and wrong is wrong and despite WHO your employer is-if you have knowledge of something illegal, wrong or unethical, then you have a legal, moral AND professional obligation to reveal it and inform the appropriate authorities.
DeleteWell, although I am not a particular fan of standardized testing, the NECAP scores in Springfield this year are way up. In fact in most categories they appear to be above the State average. Since McLaughlin has been the one cleaning up the messes in the District for the last year, it seems like perhaps you should cut him a bit of slack and give him a chance to improve the system. He seems to know what is broke and what is not, so unlike bringing in someone from elsewhere he won't try to fix things that aren't broken or reopen settled issues. Just saying give him a chance.
DeleteIt is sad to read the comments. You hear nothing but complaints on any topic. Everyone complained on Frank and he is in his last year. They hire someone new and familiar with the school system to replace him and all you can do is complain. If everyone spent some of the time that is wasted on the negative comments towards making things better in Springfield, maybe things would change for the positive. "Be the change you want to see" Gandhi We have beautiful schools filled with some great teachers and smart kids who want to learn. Good luck to the new superintendent, our kids deserve the change that he is predicting.
ReplyDeleteYou must not be from Springfield. This complaining and negativity is something we have been very good at since our shops were taken away from us and something that will continue until our machine shop jobs return, which will be any day now.
Delete@ 6:42 here, here.
Deletebut you forgot to mention the criminal wrong doings of those in charge.
Long live Light
Sorry, but you can sing kumbaya all you'd like and it still won't generate solid results. And that's your problem. Symbolism over substance. Posers over professionals.
DeleteIn 1961, I was a junior in high school and a member of the Windsor High School track team. That spring the track team traveled to St. Johnsbury for a meet, and was defeated by 41 points. On our return trip (in one old school bus) to Windsor, our team captain and the state champion pole vaulter, Barry Bradley, gave his team a tongue lashing I have never forgotten. He told us we had lost the meet because we were lazy, that we had not prepared to meet such a powerhouse as St. Johnsbury. He said our goal in our senior year would be to defeat St. Johnsbury, which had not lost a meet in three years, and would be over confident when next we met.
ReplyDeleteWe did exactly what Barry demanded. We trained over the summer months, and when school resumed in the fall, before school, after school, and on weekends. In the spring, St. Johnsbury's team arrived for our annual meet, and appeared in stark contrast to Windsor's team. They traveled in three new buses, had twice as many competitors, new uniforms, and a very complacent attitude. Certainly St. Johnsbury expected to easily defeat Windsor.
St. J. lost the meet by one point. Every member of Windsor's track team learned that people who demand of themselves everything they have, and follow the leadership of their coach and captain toward an agreed upon goal, will achieve incredible results.
As a frequent critic of Springfield's educational policy decisions, especially staff reductions, my purpose in posting this comment is to challenge all educators, parents, tax payers, and especially students, to make the Springfield School District the best in the state. We have the physical facilities, staff and students to achieve this goal, and can achieve excellence through dedication and hard work. We can turn our community around and brighten the future for all our students, if we accept nothing less from ourselves.
alot has changed since then.
DeleteWe don't expect much of ourselves these days.
i tried hard to get an Iphone.
Mr. Coughlin, that might be the best post I've read on this site. If we all work hard to achieve small, or large, goals the entire community will benefit! (Plus I hated losing to St. J in cross country)
DeleteFor those who find that constructive criticism is not a part of our community, try running for office and help to change the problems you see in Springfield. It is unfair that those who criticize so often are also not willing to step up to the plate and offer your services. Walk in the shoes of those who give so much time.
ReplyDeleteGege