School Board unanimously votes William Hart as New Schools Superintendent

By Neil Zolot

Interim Superintendent William Hart was unanimously appointed as the new permanent Superintendent of Schools by the School Committee at a Special Meeting on Wednesday, December 20. “I would be honored to continue in this job,” he said in his interview in reference to being appointed Interim Superintendent in October. “I want a chance to continue the work I’ve already started. My intention is to be the advocate I can for as long as I can. I ask you to consider my credentials, my commitment to the community and desire to continue in this role. I hope this School Committee and the next will work with me to maximize our relationship.”

He added that he’s identified certain areas of concentration: safety, facilities, teaching and learning. “Everything starts with safety,” he feels. “This isn’t a slogan. It’s a mandate to make sure we’re following protocols. We need to double- and triple-check that schools are able to implement protocols. Our security team will evaluate and upgrade security systems in the schools.”

He also acknowledged the lack of space, which has led to the city applying to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to fulfill a plan of Mayor Carlo DeMaria for a new High School in Rivergreen Playground, conversion of the High School to a Middle School and pulling Middle School-aged students out of the neighborhood K-8 schools.

During his remarks Hart announced that Everett’s Statement of Interest has been forwarded by the MSBA to the Eligibility Stage. “I want our school grounds to be welcoming and secure,” he added. “Well-equipped facilities are connected to student success. When teaching and learning are happening in nontraditional spaces, we have to ask ourselves why and what we can do better.”

He also said he would “place emphasis on teachers working with students” and set clear goals “so we are meeting the needs of the students. It’s up to us to figure out the best strategies.”

Retiring Ward 6 member Michael McLaughlin asked Hart about his experience in the state Community College system, as a former teacher at nearby Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) and head of the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges.

Hart answered that Everett was the largest feeder of students at BHCC. “We provided support systems so they could be successful, and that’s one of the things I hope to create here – those supports. Community Colleges are the forgotten point of access to higher education, but are one of the best strategies to determine what you’ll do.”

Asked about communication, Hart answered he would provide information in a variety of languages to “so people will understand the importance of what’s going on.”

McLaughlin also asked Hart what he’s learned in his tenure as Interim Superintendent. “It affirmed what I already knew, but I don’t want to rest on our laurels,” Hart answered. “Who we are educating today could be our future citizens like we all are. I don’t want them to encounter the impediments my grandparents did.”

At-Large member Cynthia Sarnie, who lost her bid for reelection, asked about dealing with absenteeism. “To the extent we can be an advocate in the district and in conversation with families as to why students are chronically absent, we have attendance officers. It is our duty and obligation within the law to bring students back. Often school is the most welcoming place for them,” stated Hart.

At-Large member Samantha Lambert relayed citizen questions about the importance of early education and the tenor of communication and deliberations on the School Committee and in the School Department. Hart answered, “If we don’t do pre-K right, students won’t be successful in education. We see students struggle because of problems in pre-K-12 education. You have to make sure you identify weaknesses and correct them.”

He also said he “welcomed civil discourse. We need to foster an environment to have real conversations not campaigns of misinformation. It’s not just from one side. It’s everybody. I know people are hurting and haven’t gotten what they’ve deserved. We can agree to disagree and you’ll always have a voice in me. Disagreements shouldn’t be based on hate but on philosophical differences.”

In his remarks at the end of his last meeting as a member, McLaughlin lamented, “We’ve seen some ugly moments.”

The other candidate, Kimberly Fricker, the Assistant Superintendent of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District in California, was interviewed before Hart. She answered many questions similarly. “You have to understand the reasons a student is not attending,” she said regarding absenteeism. “If there’s a transportation issue, we can work that out.”

It was unlikely; however, she’d be chosen given Hart’s position and her taking care of a sick parent in Michigan.

Following the interviews, McLaughlin called any decision a tough choice, stating, “We heard two candidates who could do a phenomenal job and serve the city well, but based on what I’ve seen over the last six weeks, there’s clarity in welcoming everyone, not getting into the trenches of politics and not letting pettiness get in the way of doing what they had to do.”

“It’s a hard decision,” Ward 1 member Millie Cardello, who also lost a bid for reelection, agreed, “although I think both would do a good job; I know Mr. Hart’s heart is in Everett.”

In discussion, Lambert asked the decision to be delayed to allow for deeper consideration, to no avail. After the initial vote, McLaughlin offered an immediate motion of reconsideration to preclude any future reconsideration. It was defeated unanimously.

In remarks after the deliberations, DeMaria congratulated retiring Chair and Ward 4 member Michael Mangan on the selection process. “This wasn’t a rushed job; it was open and transparent,” stated DeMaria.

The mayor pointed out the many bad actors who have continually politicized the meetings and hijacked the public comment with offensive remarks turning the public meetings into a circus. Many parents have complained that it’s the same people who never offer any meaningful remarks – only petty comments against the mayor and school board members. The mayor congratulated the members on their vote to hire the best person to lead the Everett Public Schools who not only has the credentials and experience in education but will move forward for the betterment of all of Everett’s students’ education.