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Palmer School Committee chooses Francis as new superintendent

Date: 4/11/2023

PALMER — At a special meeting on April 5, the School Committee selected Matthew Francis as the new superintendent, completing a months-long search.

Along with help from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and a search committee, the School Committee unanimously approved Francis as the new superintendent out of four finalists. Francis comes from the Chicopee school system, where he is currently assistant superintendent for instruction and accountability.

The committee started the search for a new superintendent after previous Superintendent Patricia Gardner resigned. At an Oct. 16, 2022 meeting, Chair Bonny Rathbone said, “Superintendent Patricia Gardner has advised me that she is pursuing another work opportunity and is resigning from the Palmer Public Schools. We wish Ms. Gardner the best in her future endeavors.”

According to a survey conducted by MASC for the purpose of collecting data on what the community would like to see in the next superintendent, there were several key areas the district was concerned about when choosing a new superintendent. This data was collected mostly from parents, teachers, and other members of the community.

Tracy Novick, of MASC, told the School Committee at a meeting on Feb. 15, that the findings provided “a clear expression of an immediate need for building of trust through communication and transparency, the fact that teachers and school staff are caring and compassionate for students in Palmer came through quite clearly.”

Other information gathered showed Palmer Public Schools were thought of as a “tight knit community,” with a “strong sense of pride” working in service of students, Novick said.

The survey showed that one of the main priorities for the next superintendent is the rebuilding of communication across the district, as well as a sense of trust. Collaboration and communication should be nurtured and maintained by the superintendent, Novick said.

Bullying and social emotional learning and support were other concerns. Curriculum review planning and implementation should be a priority to ensure curriculum is being implemented with fidelity across all grade levels, Novick said.

Francis satisfied these qualifications, according to the School Committee, who were each impressed with different areas in which Francis met or exceeded expectations.

In a finalist candidate interview on March 28, Francis said he had the honor and privilege of serving the Chicopee Public Schools for the last 20 years. He said, “to wake up every morning and be a leader in the school system. It is not a right, it is a privilege.”

Francis said he wanted to serve the department as a person who loved a challenge, and has a solid entry plan for superintendency that involved developing relationships with those who might be able to help or provide useful experience and valuable information, both in and outside of the district.

Francis said he was responsible for crafting the Chicopee school department’s $122 million budget and can make things happen even with limited resources. Financially, he said he could bring all of the networking he has had over his career to the district, including state connections and networks, and is looking to keep building that network.

Commenting on his leadership style, Francis said he sees himself as a servant, and can bring the districts needs into line with a strategic plan. His five core values, he said, are integrity, respect, consistency, sincerity and compassion, and when he is able to serve by following these values, he is able to be an influential leader. He noted his years of experience with curriculum, contract negotiations, budgets, bringing all of the stakeholders together and creating a vision, and developing loyalty.

Francis was given information from a survey conducted in November 2021 in the department, collected from faculty and staff, that revealed a strong culture of fear, intimidation and retaliation that some staff reported facing, and a fear of retaliation for speaking out regarding some of the superintendent’s decisions, and was asked how he would go about changing this culture. Francis replied, “You earn trust every single day, it doesn’t happen overnight. You have to earn that trust and keep that trust every single day, by not having a hidden agenda, having conversations – it’s a constant, you have to work on it.”

Getting back to working closely with students and faculty in a smaller district was a large piece of Francis’ motivation for desiring the superintendent position. He addressed communication with all stakeholders, and the importance of consistency in leadership and faculty, and said he was a firm believer in meeting regularly with these groups and adding the human element to communication.

“I have no qualms about wearing many hats,” Francis said when asked how he would handle the multiple aspects of being a superintendent.

At the meeting, committee member Sandra Noonan went over the site visits, character traits and references for each candidate. Noonan said Francis was recommended as a “great communicator, great at building relationships, understands the needs and concerns of all groups, loves challenges and is willing to take risks. He brings out the best in people and has developed a culture of closeness and collaboration, gets kids back on track.”

Noonan said of Francis’ experience that he “Oversees grants management and professional development, has been an elementary school teacher, a union officer, and a high school principal, works well with budget management.”

Committee member Erica Nadeau said that his references included close friends and colleagues who said he was the type of person who “knew each student by name and they knew him, he doesn’t hold grudges, rarely gets frustrated, listens and is a diplomatic problem solver.”

Committee member Anthony Braden said he “thought that the many hats he has worn in Chicopee was impressive, and he sounds like he is in it for the kids. In the end, when I look at all the resumes, emails, phone calls, I’ve gotten, I’m going to have to say I have all the confidence in the world in Matt Francis. I am excited to see what heights he and our team here at Palmer will reach.”

Francis said he was “very honored and considers it a privilege, and looks forward to working with all of us,” when he was called and offered the position, according to Rathbone.

Rathbone thanked the 14 members of search committee, the parents and community members who came to the meet and greets held for the candidates for helping the committee come to a decision on this vote.