The chair of the Greenfield School Committee stated at City Council that the opportunity for the public to have interaction with the only candidate for school superintendent will take place the first week of November, likely Nov. 6, the evening before the election. Why hold this important meeting the night before the election, when many of us will be focused on the elections taking place the next day?
I can think of two possible reasons: First, the School Committee has already made its decision and really doesn’t put much stock in this public meeting. They are checking a box that needs to be checked, and really doesn’t care very much about what the public thinks.
Second, they really do care about what the public thinks and wants to minimize the opportunity of the public to question or criticize either their choice for superintendent or their decision to not do a wider search, to bring in more candidates for this crucial position. Either way, their decision to host the public interview on the night before the election is a disservice to the candidate, the public, and to public education in Greenfield.
I want to note that my concern has nothing to do with Karin Patenaude, who gets high marks from all those who have worked with her. But the process matters, and for a School Committee that has not gone out of its way to welcome and engage with the Greenfield community, this is another decision that makes it clear that they really don’t want the public to be involved, and would prefer that we stay out of their business.
I hope that they reconsider and schedule this public conversation with Ms. Patenaude, perhaps on a Saturday. I hope they provide child care, and do everything they can to invite us all to this important conversation so that as many of us as possible can engage with Ms. Patenaude and come away satisfied, and thrilled that we are hiring a superintendent who is ready and able to lead our school district and best serve our children.
Doug Selwyn
Greenfield