AGAWAM — In a year of uncertainty, one thing isn’t changing in Agawam schools: Sheila Hoffman is staying put.
Following a vote this week by the School Committee, the interim superintendent is dropping the “interim” label, and will negotiate a three-year contract, to take effect immediately. Hoffman has been the district’s leader since June, and has already had to learn the ins and outs of her new job.
“It’s not only different than my previous position, but it’s different than before 2020,” she said. “We’re learning as we go. Things keep changing. Recommendations keep changing.”
She’s also noticed a change in the duties of her former job, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and human resources. Whereas she formerly spent most of her time working on measuring and promoting student achievement, the coronavirus pandemic’s changing work environment for teachers and other staff have placed an emphasis on human resources decisions.
After Superintendent Steve Lemanski announced his retirement at the beginning of the year, the School Committee planned to take job applications from both internal and external candidates, and Hoffman applied for the job at that time. In the spring, however, they placed the process on hold to concentrate on responding to COVID-19.
At their Tuesday meeting, School Committee members said Hoffman’s actions during that time have shown there is no need to seek other applicants.
“I’ve served on a bunch of search and interview committees, and I think the last five months, you can see that Sheila has grown into this role,” said School Committee member Carmino Mineo. “This has to be the most difficult time to be a superintendent. Since she came in, she’s been preparing multiple plans, getting buildings ready, two (COVID-19 union agreements) she’s passed. I have full faith in her.”
“I think she’s the right person for the right time,” said School Committee member Anthony Bonavita.
Several committee members mentioned that, in addition to the response to COVID-19, Hoffman has managed the planned closure of the town’s Early Childhood Center and redistricting of its four elementary schools to absorb prekindergarten pupils.
Mayor William Sapelli, a former superintendent himself, called the past five months a “baptism by fire.”
“I’ve been around the Agawam public schools as an employee for 45 years,” Sapelli said. “I’ve seen at least 10 superintendents. ... I would put her up there with any one of them in the short period of time she’s had, with the decision making and pressure she’s under on a daily basis, with her work ethic and her attention to detail, with her responding to the diverse group of individuals up at this table.”
Tuesday’s vote was 5-0, with two committee members abstaining. Kerri O’Connor and Wendy Rua, the two members who did not vote, both said they considered Hoffman their first choice, but would not feel comfortable making a selection without soliciting comments from parents and teachers.
Sapelli said on Thursday that Hoffman earns a salary of $155,000 per year as interim superintendent. The salary range in the job posting is $155,000 to $165,000. Sapelli said the details of Hoffman’s employment contract, including her actual salary, will be negotiated over the next two weeks.
Hoffman’s hire continues an Agawam tradition of promoting from within. All four superintendents hired since 2000 have been internal applicants. Lemanski was previously the high school principal. Sapelli, superintendent from 2011-17, and Mary A. Czajkowski, hired in 2002, had both been assistant superintendents in town.
Hoffman, a Longmeadow resident, has been Agawam’s assistant superintendent since July 2018. She’s also a native of town, and hopes to stick around for several years.
“I’m not close to the end of my career,” she said. “I’m from Agawam. I went to Agawam schools and I’m versed in the community. This is where I want to be.”
She was the valedictorian of her Agawam High School class, but didn’t think she would end up in education. Her interest in science led to a job coordinating vision screenings at school districts in the Boston area, which made her think about becoming a teacher.
She started as a middle school science teacher in Springfield, then taught science at Chicopee High School. She later became assistant principal at Agawam High School, then a school principal in Springfield.
Hoffman has a master’s degree from Framingham State College and a bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross.
She said her top priority is the safe reopening of Agawam schools. Other goals in the next three years include improving the quality of education using assessment data, to “really teach to each student.”
December 04, 2020 at 07:33AM
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Agawam Schools Superintendent Sheila Hoffman drops ‘interim’ label - MassLive.com
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