SENATE SUPPORTS SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATIONS

Measure requires school boards to implement annual evaluation of superintendent

AUGUSTA – Earlier today in a vote of 18-16, the Senate voted to improve the effectiveness of public school administrators through the use of evaluations.

“This is a logical extension of the bipartisan work that was done last session to create a more rigorous system of evaluation and improvement for Maine educators,” said Senator Emily Ann Cain of Orono, the sponsor of the bill. “This is the right thing for Maine students and Maine communities. We are ensuring our local school boards have the authority to choose an assessment tool that will hold our school administrators to the highest standard.”

The measure requires every Maine school board to implement a system to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the superintendent annually, and that the evaluation system be consistent with nationally recognized principles and standards of professional practice.

“It is common sense that if we are regularly reviewing teachers and principals, the same should be true for superintendents,” said Senator Chris Johnson of Somerville, a member of the Education Committee.

The bill, LD 1350, “An Act Regarding School Administrator Effectiveness,” faces further votes in the House and the Senate.

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