Lynn panel: Latham doing well

LYNN – Superintendent Catherine Latham is doing a good job running the city?s 15,000-student public school system, said School Committee members who ranked Latham?s ability to meet school needs, including safety and parent information.Five of the seven committee members, including Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, ranked Latham “proficient” or gave her higher marks in categories like school dropout prevention.?I am grateful for the overall recognition that we are doing a good job,” Latham said in a statement summarizing the evaluation.The highest marks for Latham during last Thursday?s review came from committee member Charlie Gallo. Members Patricia Capano and Kennedy praised the superintendent?s performance in student dropout prevention. Members Rick Starbard and John Ford indicated Latham “met” standards in review categories and ranked her higher and lower in other categories.Even committee member Maria Carrasco, who offered several criticisms during the evaluation, acknowledged Latham “made some progress” in reducing student dropout rates.Latham?s contract, last negotiated with the committee in 2012, expires in 2015. School department salary records listed her income in 2013 as $212,000.?An annual evaluation is a contract right, and it is also the obligation of the committee, subject to negotiating and agreeing on specific goals as the evaluation criteria,” committee secretary Thomas Iarrobino wrote in an email.Committee members submitted 35 evaluation ratings for Latham, according to the statement, including 23 proficient ratings, three exemplary ratings and nine “needs improvement” ratings.Eight of the nine needs improvement ratings were made by Carrasco or committee member Donna Coppola.In response to criticism from Carrasco, Latham said the school department wants to hire more minority teachers but told Carrasco, “We can?t invent people.”?The people are there,” replied Carrasco.?Then give me some names,” said Latham.Coppola said Latham “did not meet” standards for reducing dropout rates and raised concerns about reductions in Ford School after-school and night programs. Latham said the school department has increased parental involvement in schools through “wraparound zone” programs.?I am very proud of that,” she said.Kennedy and committee member Patricia Capano praised efforts overseen by Latham to reduce dropout rates with Kennedy asking Latham to provide more information on why students drop out.Latham received overall good marks from the committee for improving student test scores, with Kennedy underscoring significant improvement in scores. Latham said a new school science director will help improve state comprehensive test science scores.