Committee Begins Interviews For New Superintendent
A list of names of those chosen for the search committee has not yet been released.
Interviews began on Friday for the finalists in Woonsocket's search for a new superintendent to replace Dr. Robert Gerardi, although the names of those chosen to serve on the search committee that will make the decision have yet to be released.
There are 108 candidates who have reportedly submitted applications for the position, which has been temporarily filled by Dr. Colette Trailor. Trailor, a twenty year veteran in education serving school districts across New England, announced last week that she will not be seeking the permanent position. The interim instead offered to help Woonsocket in choosing a permanent full-time education leader.
Committee members Linda Majewski and Eleanor Nadeau are in charge of the process for picking that leader, as members of the subcommittee that handles personnel issues for the department. A narrowed down pool of candidates were reportedly chosen for interviews to be given by a "search committee" of 20 city residents with a hand in education. The pair implemented the same process to choose Gerardi in 2008.
This time, however, the procedure has been subject to some criticism with Committee members Vimala Phongsavanh and Anita McGuire Forcier questioning how that search committee was chosen.
"This search committee is made up of members that were hand-picked by two School Committee members," said Phongsavanh. "As a member of the public and as a School Committee member, I would like to know who is on this committee."
McGuire-Forcier also noticed that the requirements for the position, as posted on forums including School Spring and Massachusetts Association School Committees, had changed. According to the committee's policy manual, job specifications for vacant positions must be approved prior to posting.
At a School Committee meeting on July 13, those changes were dismissed as a clerical error by human resources.
"We have no jurisdiction over human resources," said Nadeau. "We did not know that that error took place."
Nadeau and Majewski further assured members that the names of those chosen for the search committee would be released to the public.
As of Friday, however, the list had not been released, though the interview process for final candidates had begun. At the McFee Administration building Friday beginning at 3 p.m., candidates, including Giovanna M. Donoyan, assistant superintendent in North Providence, headed in for interviews.
City Councilman Christopher Beauchamp verified that he is a member of the search committee, chosen by Majewski and Nadeau, arriving at the same time as Donoyan to begin the interviews.
Committee Chair Marc Dubois expressed surprise when asked about the interviews, stating he had no idea they had begun.
"I honestly didn't know that. I had no idea they were doing interviews," Dubois said, adding that he was upset to find out they began before the list of search committee members was made public. "They publicly assured me that the names would be released."
Neither Majewski or Nadeau returned calls for comment.
George L
7:34 pm on Saturday, July 23, 2011
So Ellie Nadeau said on the radio Thursday that if Ms. Phongsavanh had her way, "there'd be no white people on the committee, I can tell you that!".
Ought to be easy enough to recognize the members of this secret committee. They'll be the ones in the white hoods.
Renee Pelletier
8:59 am on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Ms. Nadeau also called Ms. Phongsavanh-- Vimala Parmesan on the radio and couldn't decide which nationality she is. Is this still the 1960's where this type of dialogue is okay? I think it's Ms. Nadeau that needs to.. in her own words "grow up and get over it."
George L
4:21 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Renee,
Was that before she referred to her as the Condom Queen or after she called her a "legend in her own mind". This kind of "professionalism" is not what we need from her or anyone else on the School Committee.
John Ward
11:55 pm on Saturday, July 23, 2011
I've never seen a search committee of only hand-picked, secretly chosen people. To be honest, I'm not surprised by it, knowing who is in charge of this sub-committee.
I wonder who the dynamic duo has already selected to be our next superintendent, and have they bothered to tell the search committee that they have already decided the outcome?
Just wondering.
Mike Kind
7:28 am on Sunday, July 24, 2011
The posting of altered job qualifications was a "mistake". The School Committee Chairman has no idea interviewing has begun. Ms. Nadeau and Ms. Majewski openly and defiantly break a promise to release the names of all appointed members when they are "confirmed." Who is in charge, Mr. Dubois? We must remember to hold these people accountable for their presumptive arrogance in the upcoming elections.
DLB
9:29 am on Sunday, July 24, 2011
OMG and WOW --, I'm almost speechless,.., Did someone delete the School Committee Policy by mistake ? Yet, we want to make the kids follow the rules, perhaps they will, when WE set a good example. If this is just the tip of the iceberg, what an iceberg it must be.
ABC
12:52 am on Monday, July 25, 2011
I hope that the people leaving messages on this story AND the reporter writing it can sleep at night...who in their right mind would take pictures of innocent people venturing out to broaden their career and write about another only to potentially ruin these people's career!?!?! Have any of you thought of the possibility that any of the inviewees would want this to remain confidential? Have you thought what if they didn't want their employer to know...just like any smart person, you find another job before leaving the one you're at. But, no. Keep thinking of yourselves. I say, if you keep this Patch page going the way it is, it's just going to turn ugly and keep the negative remarks of Woonsocket alive. What is wrong with you people??? Sorry, I don't know how this whole process is legally supposed to be announced, performed and let out, but who are you to sit behind your computer to say??? Get up, get out and get involved. Get to a School Committee meeting or call the chair yourself, but don't post this stupid stuff. How old are you people? What examples are you setting for the next person who reads this? If you want to write a story, think before you do it. Same with your comments. SOME people are supposed to be representing this community and they don't even know how to keep their comments to themselves. When are the electives going to start working together and stop slapping each other in the face?
Mike Kind
2:30 am on Monday, July 25, 2011
Response to the only question above that I understand: I'm 58.
JP
10:27 pm on Monday, July 25, 2011
@ ABC, transparency regarding the search committee members, not the candidates for the position themselves. Please get your facts straight before you make uneducated remarks.
Carole Lerner
9:12 pm on Friday, July 29, 2011
I recently learned that previous postings, signed by Carole, have been incorrectly attributed to me. I would like to categorically state that I am not the author of those postings, nor do they reflect my views.
To avoid future misunderstandings, I hope that everyone will use their full names when posting a message.
Carole Lerner, Director of Special Education, Woonsocket Education Department