EAST PROVIDENCE — Residents were privy to an in-depth and up-close look at the prospective candidates for the soon-to-be vacant position of East Providence Superintendent of Schools when the two finalists — Celeste Bowler and Kathryn Crowley — were interviewed publicly by the School Committee at its November 10 meeting.
The candidates were presented with the same set of questions during separate appearances on the dais, each lasting approximately 45 minutes. The queries were focused mostly on Special Education, standardized curriculum and school infrastructure.
Mrs. Bowler, currently the assistant superintendent for the Hamilton-Wenham district in northeastern Massachusetts, was interviewed first. In her concluding remarks she said, “I am not deterred by the needs and challenges. In fact, I’m excited about those things. And I think my skills and knowledge are a good match for the district.”
Mrs. Crowley, who is the superintendent of schools in Little Compton and whose uncle, Frank Saracino, was once principal at the former Martin Junior High School, followed. She noted in her closing remarks that she “looks forward to facing the challenges of the district. I think the culture here has always been very strong…and I would like to become part of the community.”
In between, the two candidates, who were each collected and concise with their answers, had similar responses to a number of the questions including one posed about teaching to standardized tests. Both said it should not be done. In addition, each said the curriculum should not be bound by Common Core standards.
As for Special Ed issues, both said professional development was key to preparing teachers to get the most from their students. On the subject of IEPs (Individualized Education Programs), Mrs. Bowler seemed to put more emphasis on the parent-teacher relationship while Mrs. Crowley stressed the need for teachers to instruct in concert with general population standards. At buildings with higher percentages of Special Needs students, Mrs. Crowley said it was important to have a “dynamic administrator” leading the school while Mrs. Bowley said it imperative the curriculum and professional development both “address the needs of the students” there.
Mrs. Bowler, referring to a walk-through the candidates took last week through three of the city’s schools, said they like many in the region look very much like they did when they were built in the 1950s. She said she would attempt to glean “what the community would support” while being “fiscally responsible” in responding to the district’s infrastructure needs.
When asked what each would do in their first 100 days in office, Mrs. Crowley was a bit more specific. She said she would like to get a “feel for the culture in each of the buildings” and that she would like to get “to know the children and administrators in each of the buildings.” Also, she said planned on meeting with each of the administrators individually and faculty by building.
In contrast, Mrs. Bowler was slightly more distinct in her response to a question about parent and community input, saying, “it was very important. There are a number of people with wonderful ideas. My job is to seek them out and listen… I think it’s very important to engage the community, parents and the public.”
At the conclusion of the interviews the Committee adjourned to an executive session where they were likely to start deliberations on their selection if not make an outright decision to offer one of the candidates the job. Contract negotiations would ensue. The Committee has stated its goal is to hire a new superintendent to replace the retiring Kim Mercer by its next meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening, Nov. 24.
While the superintendent interviews deservedly took up the bulk of the meeting, the Committee did take action on another important item in naming Fatima Avila as the new principal at Martin Middle School. Ms. Avila replaces Dr. Sandra Forand, who was recently promoted to the position of assistant superintendent.
Ms. Avila, who was until last year the principal at Kent Heights Elementary, departs the building where she returned to the classroom in time for the current 2015-16 term.
Calling her decision to leave Kent Heights “bittersweet,” Ms. Avila nonetheless was eager to accept the challenge of taking over at Martin.
“I’m going from one home to another,” Ms. Avila said. “I started at Martin. I did my internship there, worked with a great staff there. Like I said, I’m leaving one great school community and going to another great community. I feel I’m needed at Martin.”
Ms. Avila, whose first day at Martin is Monday, Nov. 16, is joined in the administration by Assistant Principal Rob Perry and Dean of Students Richard Smalls.
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