Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 12/15/2022
SPRINGFIELD – Some members of the School Committee disagreed with the word “exemplary” to describe the performance of School Superintendent Daniel Warwick, but the body did approve him a 2 percent raise.
The committee met on Dec. 6 to accept the annual performance evaluation and then to vote to give Warwick a raise.
Committee members completed a survey for the performance review with a summation written by the chair of the committee Mayor Domenic Sarno. It was Sarno who used the word “exemplary” and explained he simply followed the results of the questions answered by the committee members.
“The facts speak for themselves,” Sarno told his committee colleagues. “We’re blessed to have Superintendent Warwick.”
Committee member Barbara Gresham disagreed. Saying she could not support the word “exemplary” to describe Warwick’s performance.”
She said Springfield, the second largest school district in the commonwealth is not a “high performance district.” She added, “Our students are not progressing as they should.”
Committee member Joesiah Gonzalez also objected to the adjective. While he said the student statistics show “a positive trend,” he added, “I think there are areas that can always be improved on.”
Committee member LaTonia Monroe Naylor believes the data did not support the adjective, either. She noted, for instance, the district needs to do a better job with family engagement. She asked the committee members have a greater involvement in seeing the data.
The attorney for the School Committee, Melinda Phelps, said the survey reflected the defined goals set for the superintendent. “It’s not everything,” she noted.
Committee member Denise Hurst said, “It’s hard to swallow we land on ‘exemplary.’” She believed the survey showed “a range of opinions” from the committee.
Their colleague Peter Murphy supported the summative report and said, “You have met the goals we set.” He called the implantation of full day Pre-K as “a huge game changer.” Dropout rates have been decreased, as has the number to suspensions and arrests. The graduation rates have increased.
Murphy added the district is now at “labor peace” with contracts approved by the various education unions.
The summation report was accepted by the committee with three members voting against it.
A vote then came about Warwick’s raise. He is automatically receiving a 2 percent cost of living raise as stipulated by his contract and received a 2 percent raise with two members of the committee voting against it.
His new salary is $306,698.86.