Dartmouth Public Schools superintendent scores high in evaluation

In a recent superintendent evaluation, the School Committee determined that Dartmouth Public Schools superintendent June Saba-Maguire scored the second-highest rating possible in each category covered by the evaluation.

The evaluation examined Saba-Maguire’s performance in categories including student learning goals, instructional leadership, professional culture and district improvement goals.

Performance goals were ranked, for example, from “did not meet,” “some progress,” “significant progress,” “met” to “exceeded.” Other categories, including instructional leadership and professional culture, were ranked from “unsatisfactory,” “needs improvement,” “proficient” to “exemplary.”

In every goal or category, Saba-Maguire received an average score of “met” or “proficient.”

“Proficient equates excellence, and that’s the average,” said committee member Kathleen Amaral. “Some folks did score exemplary in certain areas.”

A score of “exemplary” and “exceeded” are given in only “very rare occasions” and if there’s “no more growth to be had,” said committee members John Nunes and Amaral.

In addition to scoring Saba-Maguire with either “met” or “proficient,” committee members also left comments on her performance for her first year in the position.

Members used words such as “effective,” “intentional” and “strategic” to describe Saba-Maguire’s efforts and shared consensus that she had demonstrated “a strong first year.”

“We’ll talk about next steps for ‘exemplary’ because you know I’m a little competitive,” Saba-Maguire said.