 Binkley, Nadine 978-534-7700 Ext. 316
August 28, 2006
Purpose: The purpose of this entry plan is to help
me, as the new Superintendent in Leominster, to
learn about the school system and the community in a
relatively condensed period of time. Before I can
make informed decisions that affect the children of
Leominster, it is important that I understand the
norms, values, traditions and hopes of the
community. This entry plan will help me to begin to
develop a deep understanding of the wonderful
community in which I will be working and devoting
much of my professional life to.
Interviews: The set of interviews I will participate
in and the purpose of these interviews follow.
Members of the School Committee: I will meet with
each member of the Leominster School Committee to
get to know each member, discuss each member’s hopes
and aspirations for the Leominster schools, discuss
the role each person enjoys playing on the school
committee, and to begin to establish a positive
working relationship with each member.
Mayor Mazzarella: I will meet with Mayor Mazzarella
to begin to develop a strong working relationship
with him. It is very important that the City and
School Department work together in the best interest
of students. Developing an open working relationship
with the Mayor will be very important. I would like
to better understand the schools and community
through his eyes. I am looking to learn from him
what his vision is for the community and how the
schools fit into that vision.
Central Office Administrators: I will meet with each
district administrator to get to know each key
player in the Leominster School District, to
understand his/her role, to begin to develop a
strong professional relationship with each and a
strong team approach to working in the best interest
of students, and to begin to assess the strengths of
each person and the support that each will need from
me. I will ask each person to review with me the
data they have gathered and the analysis they have
done that informs the direction of their work.
Principals: I will spend the better part of a day
with each principal, touring their school, visiting
classes, talking with each about the vision of their
school and how they are working toward that vision.
I will review data with each on student achievement
and will discuss their school goals and their
professional goals for the school year and how the
analysis of their collected data has informed the
direction they are taking.
School Staff: When I visit each school, I will go to
as many classrooms as I can. As well, I will meet,
on a voluntary basis, either before or after school
with any teacher or other staff member who would
like to talk informally with me.
Association and Union Leadership: I will meet with
each association and union president to get to know
each leader, his/her interests and concerns, and to
begin to develop a collaborative working
relationship to move the system forward in a way
that is fair and inclusive.
Students: I will meet with a group of middle school
students at each school and a group of high school
students to discuss what they like about their
school and areas that they think should be
addressed.
Parents: I will meet with parents in a number of
venues. I will attend some organized venues, such as
PTO meetings or School Advisory Councils. I would
also be interested in attending neighborhood coffees
to discuss what parents think are the important
issues around their children’s education and how
they envision the school system in the future. I
will also meet with parents who have selected to not
send their children to Leominster Schools. I hope to
learn what it is that keeps them from sending their
children to Leominster schools.
Elected Officials: I would like to meet with some
members of the City Council to discuss how the
school system fits into the decisions that they need
to make in their official capacities. I would like
to begin to develop a strong working relationship
with members of the City Council.
City Employees: I will meet with some city employees
who have interaction with the schools. For example,
I will meet with the Chief of Police, the Fire
Chief, and the Head of DPW. I would like to learn
about how I can best interact with them and supply
them with the information that they need to do their
jobs.
Community Members: I will meet with members of the
community who represent groups such as religious,
social, business and service groups in the City. I
would like to begin to get to know them and to
establish a relationship so that we can work
together in the best interest of the students of
Leominster.
Political Leadership: I will meet with local and
state political leaders and establish means for
regular communication.
Who will I interview? Some of the above groups are
self limiting, but others are open ended. As I speak
to people, I will ask them to suggest others who it
will be important for me to talk with.
Questions: I will be asking some of these questions
to each of the groups or individuals I meet with.
• What is it about the Leominster School District
that you value?
• Please describe the demographics of the student
body and of the teachers.
• What are your hopes for the Leominster School
District in the future?
• Do the Leominster schools, in your opinion, do an
excellent job of educating students? Why or why not?
• What keeps the Leominster schools from being all
they can be?
• How is Leominster changing? Are the schools
responding appropriately to that change?
• Does the district hold the same high standards for
all of its students?
• Are we providing all of the services that we need
to provide to students for them to be successful?
• What would you like to see different about the
school district in 5 years? 10 years?
• What are the key issues that you think that the
Leominster School district needs to face?
• What do you think is the most important issue that
I need to address?
• What can I do to make your job (position) better?
easier?
• Are you well informed about what is happening in
the Leominster schools? How could we do a better job
of keeping
you informed? Are there specific areas
that you would like more information on?
• What advise would you give me as I begin my tenure
in Leominster?
• Can you suggest anyone whom it would be important
for me to speak to in my quest to learn as much
about Leominster
as I can?
• If child attends a school other than a Leominster
public school:
• Why did you choose not to enroll your child in the
Leominster Public Schools?
• What could we offer to bring your child back to
the Leominster Public Schools?
For students:
• If you were describing your school to a visitor in
the district, what would you tell them?
• What programs have you found particularly helpful
or interesting?
• On a typical day, what are the best parts?
• What are the strengths of your school?
• How can your school be improved?
• Describe a typical English or math class?
• Describe how you use technology in your classes?
• What type of assignments and tests do you usually
get?
• What advise would you give me as a new
superintendent in Leominster?
Analysis: When I finish conducting all interviews, I
will do an analysis of the responses. I will put the
results in a report format.
Discussion with Leadership Team: I will share the
results of the analysis of the entry plan with the
district leadership team. I will use this venue to
further clarify what I have heard and to get input
from the Leadership Team as to what the short- and
long-term goals should be for the school district.
Report to the School Committee: I will plan to
present a report to the School Committee on the
results of my entry plan analysis and the discussion
with the Leadership Team. I will finalize short- and
long-term goals after School Committee discussion
and with School Committee approval.
Report to Community: A report will be made public,
available at each school and posted on the school
district website. This report will include finding
from the entry plan process and School Committee
approved goals. |
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