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July 31. 2012 10:46PM
BRENNAN
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Replacing Brennan: School board hostility has a price
Nashua adopts new way to evaluate schools superintendent's performance
Manchester school board considered censuring Superintendent Brennan, committee members say
BRENNAN
Replacing Brennan: School board hostility has a price
Nashua adopts new way to evaluate schools superintendent's performance
MANCHESTER — Members of the Board of School Committee were considering censuring Superintendent Thomas Brennan before he announced Monday that he would step down at the end of the coming school year, according to several committee members..
The reprimand concerned Brennan's handling of the hiring process for the principal at McLaughlin Middle School.
He had assured the committee that the candidate he backed met the mandated qualifications for the job, despite some members' concerns about her eligibility.
Before announcing at the school committee meeting Monday his intention to step down at the end of the 2013 school year, Brennan acknowledged he was wrong about the candidate's eligibility and he apologized.
The school committee did not publicly discuss censuring Brennan, however, several members indicated that this was being considered.
Committee member Debra Gagnon Langton said had Brennan not announced that he was stepping down, “it might have been a different story” at Monday's meeting.
Gagnon Langton insisted the withdrawal of the McLaughlin principal nominee less than two months before the start of the school year was only the latest in a series of missteps on personnel matters.
“We've had a lack of leadership. We've had one principal who only lasted 24 hours,” she said. “Time and time again, these things happen.”
Other committee members, however, praised Brennan's perseverance and dedication in challenging circumstances.
“I'm disappointed and saddened but not surprised,” said member Sarah Ambrogi. “I think he endured a lot of criticism, and after a while the criticism took its toll.”
She added: “I think he's the first person to admit that he hasn't been perfect in everything he's done. But I think at times, the manner and tone in which he's been taken to task has been unwarranted.”
Committee member Christopher Stewart echoed this view, and he insisted that Brennan was not bowing to pressure. “I would say Dr. Brennan made the decision that it was time for Dr. Brennan to go. I think he still enjoyed majority support on the board,” he said.
Brennan had the support of one key school committee member, Mayor Ted Gatsas, who on Monday said the superintendent would be “sorely missed.”
For committee member John Avard, however, the process around the McLaughlin principal search raised serious concerns.
“A couple years ago, we surrendered our portion of the interview process. It was done with Dr. Brennan's reassurance that he would take responsibility for only bringing forward the most appropriate candidates. I applaud him for following through,” Avard said, referring to Brennan's apology and announcement that he'd be stepping down.
Gagnon Langton also faulted Brennan on the timing of his decision, saying it would make him a “lame duck” for the coming school year.
Other committee members said the early announcement would afford the necessary time to conduct a thorough search for a replacement, a task all parties seem to agree will be challenging.
The Manchester School District's greatest incentive in attracting applicants for the job will likely be the salary.
Brennan is the highest paid superintendent in the state; he earned $165,470 in the 2011-2012 school year.
The statewide average is around $100,000.
Ambrogi said there many daunting aspects of the superintendent job, not least a school board that can be “difficult.”
But she also expressed optimism that the committee could rise to the occasion, and she said the ongoing strategic planning process could help the committee present a unified vision to candidates.
“I think we're a district with great potential, and I hope we can live up to that potential and work together,” Ambrogi said.
Brennan did not return a call for comment on Tuesday.
tsiefer@unionleader.com
The reprimand concerned Brennan's handling of the hiring process for the principal at McLaughlin Middle School.
He had assured the committee that the candidate he backed met the mandated qualifications for the job, despite some members' concerns about her eligibility.
Before announcing at the school committee meeting Monday his intention to step down at the end of the 2013 school year, Brennan acknowledged he was wrong about the candidate's eligibility and he apologized.
The school committee did not publicly discuss censuring Brennan, however, several members indicated that this was being considered.
Committee member Debra Gagnon Langton said had Brennan not announced that he was stepping down, “it might have been a different story” at Monday's meeting.
Gagnon Langton insisted the withdrawal of the McLaughlin principal nominee less than two months before the start of the school year was only the latest in a series of missteps on personnel matters.
“We've had a lack of leadership. We've had one principal who only lasted 24 hours,” she said. “Time and time again, these things happen.”
Other committee members, however, praised Brennan's perseverance and dedication in challenging circumstances.
“I'm disappointed and saddened but not surprised,” said member Sarah Ambrogi. “I think he endured a lot of criticism, and after a while the criticism took its toll.”
She added: “I think he's the first person to admit that he hasn't been perfect in everything he's done. But I think at times, the manner and tone in which he's been taken to task has been unwarranted.”
Committee member Christopher Stewart echoed this view, and he insisted that Brennan was not bowing to pressure. “I would say Dr. Brennan made the decision that it was time for Dr. Brennan to go. I think he still enjoyed majority support on the board,” he said.
Brennan had the support of one key school committee member, Mayor Ted Gatsas, who on Monday said the superintendent would be “sorely missed.”
For committee member John Avard, however, the process around the McLaughlin principal search raised serious concerns.
“A couple years ago, we surrendered our portion of the interview process. It was done with Dr. Brennan's reassurance that he would take responsibility for only bringing forward the most appropriate candidates. I applaud him for following through,” Avard said, referring to Brennan's apology and announcement that he'd be stepping down.
Gagnon Langton also faulted Brennan on the timing of his decision, saying it would make him a “lame duck” for the coming school year.
Other committee members said the early announcement would afford the necessary time to conduct a thorough search for a replacement, a task all parties seem to agree will be challenging.
The Manchester School District's greatest incentive in attracting applicants for the job will likely be the salary.
Brennan is the highest paid superintendent in the state; he earned $165,470 in the 2011-2012 school year.
The statewide average is around $100,000.
Ambrogi said there many daunting aspects of the superintendent job, not least a school board that can be “difficult.”
But she also expressed optimism that the committee could rise to the occasion, and she said the ongoing strategic planning process could help the committee present a unified vision to candidates.
“I think we're a district with great potential, and I hope we can live up to that potential and work together,” Ambrogi said.
Brennan did not return a call for comment on Tuesday.
tsiefer@unionleader.com