Dr. Sheneka Williams, an independent contractor, developed a superintendent evaluation process and provided guidelines and steps for moving forward with the evaluation.
The DeKalb Board of Education is currently in Step 3 below. On April 18th, the board will meet with Dr. Williams to go over an evaluation document and the process approved by the Superintendent. I have requested this meeting be held during the public work session that day, however the board chair has deemed this a “Personnel Issue” and is requiring the evaluation document be discussed in executive session.
Timeline of the Evaluation Process
- Superintendent’s Goal Setting for Upcoming Academic Year (July – August)
- Superintendent’s Self-Evaluation (December)
- Meeting Between Superintendent and Board to Discuss Scope and Sequence of Evaluation Process (February)
- Client Survey for Senior administration and Principals (March – May)
- District School Board Rating of Superintendent (May-June)
- Final Evaluation Meeting—June (before June 30)
Steps of the Evaluation Process
Step 1: Superintendent’s Goal-Setting (July-August)
The evaluation process begins with the Superintendent setting goals for the upcoming academic year. Once the Superintendent finalizes his/her goals for the year, they are shared with the Board. Once the Board and the Superintendent come to consensus on the goals, then action steps toward accomplishing goals and the evaluation process take place.
Step 2: Superintendent Self-Evaluation (December)
In preparation for discussions related to the evaluation, the superintendent will assess his or her own performance at mid-year.
Step 3: Meeting Between Superintendent and District School Board (February)
At this meeting, the Superintendent will provide members of the Board with a complete set of materials guiding the evaluation process and an explanation of the process, the timeline, and the rubric used to determine the Superintendent’s level of performance. The Superintendent and members of the Board will agree on the conditions of the evaluation including its scope, timeline, goals, evidence, and documentation necessary to demonstrate proficiency or lack thereof. The Superintendent will also share with the Board the results of the self-assessment and his or her plans for each area to address during the year.
Step 4. Stakeholder Survey for Senior Administration and Principals (March-May)
Senior administration and Principals will evaluate the Superintendent’s performance based on the established goals for the year.
Step 5: District School Board Rating of Superintendent (May-June)
Members of the Board will independently rate the Superintendent’s performance using the Rubric for Evaluating DCSD Superintendents. They will then meet to discuss their individual ratings and to agree upon a single rating for each of
the goals and each indicator associated with the goal.
Step 6: Final Evaluation Meeting (June)
The Superintendent and the Board will discuss the Superintendent’s progress toward achieving goals established for the year and the level of performance on goals. This discussion will include analysis of data from the Superintendent’s self-evaluation, stakeholder surveys completed by both the senior administration and principals, and the Board’s summary evaluation of the Superintendent, all of which have been prepared in advance of the meeting.
“Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue.”
Why is there no survey for parents? After all our children go to these schools everyday. What are his accomplishments? It seems strange to me that this process is being concluded before graduation rates, testing, etc. has been evaluated by the board or stakeholders. I know these are just a few markers of how our school system is doing but shouldn’t his evaluation take place after all the data has been gathered and analyzed.
Pursuant to OCGA § 20-2-210. Annual performance evaluation, the board is discussing the “evaluation instrument” to be used to eventually evaluate the superintendent. The final evaluation will not happen until June.
I beleive DeKalb can get better value if we replace MS. Tyson, MR Brantley and MS. Hayes(contractor) with Exec Dir and two Directors in IT. It would cost less and get more done!
Hiring a private con$ultant to evaluate the Super of DCS by someone who taught Social Studies for a couple of years, and spent the rest of her short career in academia sends up red flags for me.
Dr. Williams has never served as an administrator (principal, director or superintendent) in her short career. Superintendents function in the real world, day to day, and that experience is not relevant in the abstract or in academia. Public education is complex, knowledge of all matters of education/teaching/learning & educational research are valuable. Leading and supporting 100,000+ students, along with thousands of teachers must be experienced and success measured – not by an inexperienced non-administrator.
How much is this private consultant costing us?
What is the connection between Dr. Williams and the Super?
What evaluation instruments have been used before?
What other evaluations are available for review by teachers, principals and the Board? Free of charge?
Yes, community and educators’ input must be considered.
Evaluation should go in both directions.
SB355 allows parents to opt out of standardized testing. Once signed by the Governor, how will the school system communicate to parents in an aggressive manner knowing testing is forthcoming? Will DeKalb Board and Supt. withhold the information for federal funding purposes?
Hey Barbara. The school district traditionally hasn’t communicated changes in statute. I’m working on a list of the more interesting and applicable education bills that passed this session. The Governor has 40 days to veto or sign these bills into law.