Zapantis gets a nearly perfect score
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

Superintendent Michael Zapantis was four points shy of a perfect score on his evaluation, announced School Committee Chairman David Christianson on Tuesday, May 27.

"This is an exceptional evaluation," Christianson said.

Zapantis earn 364 of 360 points.

The School Committee's annual evaluation of Zapantis shows the best score he has received so far from the committee in his five years as superintendent. Christianson said the high score for the evaluation period between March 1, 2007, and Feb. 28, 2008, was not given lightly.

The evaluation looked at Zapantis' relationship with the committee, the educational leadership, overall management, business and finance and personal qualities.

Christianson specifically commented on Zapantis' ability to get information out about the potential renovation or rebuilding of John R. Briggs and the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

"Dr. Zapantis continues to lead by example," the comments in the evaluation reads. "The results of his leadership are clearly demonstrated in the quality of the administration and teaching staff, as well as by the success of the students of the District."

The other comments focus on his financial management.

"The School Committee notes with particular satisfaction, Dr. Zapantis' fiscal management over the past year," it reads. "In the face of potentially debilitating budget reductions, he has lead the district in preserving high standards and outcomes. Management of the operating budget and his identification of significant reimbursements, ect., will allow the district to implement full-day kindergarten in the coming school year, and fund significant capital repairs without additional costs to the towns."

Zapantis was rated on nine point scale in more than 40 categories. His lowest scores were eights.

"My ego is not that big and I'm not that good," Zapantis said. "It's about the 'we' and not the 'I.'"

Zapantis credited the staff for his successes with the district and specifically named Business Administrator Sherry Kersey.

"She makes my job a lot easier," he said.

He said that everyone from the teachers, administrators and paraprofessionals to the custodians and the bus drivers make the district run smoothly.

"It is really a family that deserves the credit around here," he said.

The committee did have recommendations for improvements. They would like to see more of a focus on getting the successes of students and the district out to the public. The committee would also like be kept more up to date on the evaluation process for the staff and they would like to review and update the content of Zapantis' evaluation.

The evaluation reads, "the committee looks forward to the implementation of tracking mechanisms to keep it informed for staff evaluation processes and results."

Christianson said the evaluation is outlined in Zapantis' contract so both parties would have to agree to any changes. Zapantis signed a six-year contract in September 2006.

The comment reads, "The School Committee also suggest that it may be beneficial to look at revising and updating this evaluation instrument to more accurately reflect the criteria most appropriate for use in evaluation [of] the Superintendent's performance."

The committee and Zapantis have already begun discussions about changing the evaluation.

The evaluation includes a numerical scoring section and a comments section.

The evaluation subcommittee had a changing membership this year including Christianson, Laura Weiderman, Gwen Farley, Jody Tata, Jamie Rheult and Keith Glenny. The subcommittee completed the evaluation, which was then reviewed and voted on by the entire committee.