Long-term superintendent to retire; city searches for replacement

By Stephanie Butler

CAMBRIDGE – A few students dash through Harvard Yard, holding a book in one hand and a Starbucks cup in the other. Some just stroll lazily past the historic campus buildings, seemingly ignorant to the chilly winds whipping the tree branches.

While known for the world’s most renowned institutions of higher education, such as Harvard, the city’s public school system has consistently ranked at the bottom of the state’s assessment list. Now, the city is searching for a new superintendent to raise the quality of the public schools to the level Cambridge's universities are famous for.

Superintendent Thomas Fowler-Finn, who has held the position since 2003, announced his retirement earlier this year after his contract expires in July 2009. The School Committee voted 4-3 in January to renew his contract for one year.

Fowler-Finn’s term has rattled parents. In April he acknowledged that he had accessed e-mails from parents meant for school committee members.

In a statement, Fowler-Finn said he considered the e-mails to be public records, but he took responsibility for the mix-up.

“I am in the process of notifying those whose e-mails were received, and consider this matter resolved,” he said.

Fowler-Finn boosted the district's ranking, removing it from near the bottom of the state’s education list.

Ten out of the city’s 12 elementary schools remain on the state’s assessment list, titled “2007-08 Massachusetts State Report Card Part V – Schools Identified for Improvement, Corrective Action, or Restructuring” list.

Peter Schweich, creator of cambridgeneedsreform.org, said residents should push the School Committee to consider candidates who will improve the school system.

“Cambridge residents should use whatever little influence they may have to encourage the School Committee and city councilors to hire the best, not the least expensive, search firm to find talented and experienced candidates for the position,” said Schweich, who is a former vice president of Boston University.

Meanwhile, committee members expect the cost of the search to exceed $100,000, Mayor Denise Simmons said at an August meeting. The search will be nationwide, but the committee has not ruled out hiring from within the school district.