Bourne School Committee Praises Superintendent In Annual Evaluation
Bourne Public Schools Superintendent Kerri Anne Quinlan-Zhou was lauded by the school committee as “exemplary” and a “strong leader” during the committee’s annual review of the superintendent at this week’s meeting.
The committee convened over Zoom for a brief meeting on Monday, May 15, to review the superintendent’s evaluation. Committee chairwoman Emily Berry explained that each of the seven members completed an evaluation, all of which were considered in compiling the final evaluation report.
Per Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education standards, Dr. Zhou received an overall rating of proficient, noted as the “rigorous expected level of performance.” The report assessed Dr. Zhou’s progress toward five performance goals that were presented at the beginning of the school year. Goals are assessed using a scale: did not meet, some progress, significant progress, met, or exceeded. Ms. Berry said that “significant progress” or “met” are the ideal benchmarks, and “exceeded” would be wonderful.
Of the five goals assessed, Dr. Zhou exceeded in two—professional practice and district improvement goal one, focusing on stakeholder engagement and outreach—and met three. The three goals she met were the student learning goal and district improvement goals two and three, focusing on inclusive practices and learning walks, respectively.
Comments from the evaluators were glowing, commending Dr. Zhou on attributes such as excellent networking and outreach, dedication to the school district and organizational leadership.
“In just three years, Dr. Zhou has put Bourne on a path to sustainable improvement and excellence,” one comment read.
“Dr. Zhou has worked hard to provide the best opportunities for the students in Bourne Public Schools,” said another. “She has developed and strengthened outside relationships to gain resources and to ensure the safest school environment. She has worked diligently to ensure students are provided with rigorous curriculum as well as appropriate assessment to measure success. She has engaged her administrative team and led them to recognize the importance of the changes made in the district. She has made it clear to the school committee that these changes are directly benefiting the students and the future success of Bourne Public Schools. Most importantly, she was a strong leader during challenging negotiations, remaining respectful, open, and flexible.”
After the report, Ms. Berry thanked Dr. Zhou for her work this year, saying she is “exceptionally proud of this district and everything that the district has accomplished.”
“A lot of that [is] due to administration, to the teachers, to all of the people involved, so thank you,” she said. “We really look forward to watching the district continue to flourish, making Bourne a leader of all of the other surrounding towns.”
School committee member Maureen Fuller also congratulated Dr. Zhou on her performance, commending the success of the co-teaching program and overall professional collaboration happening across the district.
In turn, Dr. Zhou thanked the school committee and said that she shares her praise with everybody in the district.
“The way that all boats will rise on this tide is if everybody’s working together and I feel like this year we hit our stride; this year we really are starting to see a lot of it come together,” she said.
Dr. Zhou also acknowledged outgoing school committee members Ryan Bagdonas and Erin Perry, as it was their last meeting before the annual town election.
“We see your vision,” Ms. Berry said to Dr. Zhou at the meeting’s conclusion, “we appreciate that vision and we think that that vision is the best thing for Bourne Public Schools, so we’re very supportive of all the work that has been done.”