AMHERST — Citing a collaborative approach to leading the schools and a dedication to students, Superintendent Michael Morris is receiving mostly high marks from members of the three school committees who recently completed his annual performance review.
In evaluations done under a model provided by the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Morris scored well on both goals and standards, according to the Amherst-Pelham Regional, Amherst and Pelham school committees.
At the regional level, which has five Amherst representatives, two Pelham representatives and one each from Shutesbury and Leverett, six members gave either proficient and exemplary overall grades to Morris, with one member giving him a needs-improvement grade. Two members either didn’t participate or did an incomplete review.
Committee Chairman Ben Herrington and Vice Chairwoman Sarahbess Kenney wrote in a summary that they look forward to working with Morris for another year: “The upcoming academic year will certainly bring another round of challenges in the form of budgets, a continuing focus on equity, special education, restorative justice and also the state of our buildings. Based on his performance during the year just ending, Dr. Morris has demonstrated that he can accomplish what needs to be done to keep the Regional schools performing at the high standards expected by the community.”
The goals in which committee members rated Morris included planning for the move of sixth graders to the middle school in fall 2023, progress on diversity, equity and inclusion, response to the pandemic, budget planning and communication, and the high school schedule change and district start time. Standards that were graded included instructional leadership, management and operations, family and community engagement, and professional culture.
Both the collaborative approach Morris uses with the committee and his efforts to seek a diverse workforce were praised.
Herrington, an Amherst representative, pointed to an end-of-year, women-of-color educators affinity group meeting in the district that shows how diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have made great strides.
“We have absolutely made progress, and I would say we have made more progress than any other school district I know about,” Herrington said.
Morris is not only easy to work with, but also takes criticism well, Herrington said.
Amherst representative Peter Demling said Morris is a tremendous asset and his skills match the district’s needs. “After six years, Dr. Morris has demonstrated consistently excellent performance,” Demling said.
Demling said collaboration is vital as a breakdown in the relationship could lead to issues and the potential departure of the superintendent, as was recently seen in the Northampton public schools.
Kenney, a Pelham representative, said she wants to continue working with Morris. “I’ve always felt like my opinions are respected and it’s always easy to have open dialogue with him,” Kenney said, noting that students are at the heart of how Morris thinks about the school system.
Pelham representative Margaret Stancer said she appreciates the efforts Morris puts into projects, reaching out for information and data. “He comes to the meetings prepared, he’s professional, he’s calm, and that’s of huge value when we’re together and trying to interact,” Stancer said.
Amherst representative Jennifer Shiao said she did her evaluation by looking at whether Morris had achieved goals set by the committee, noting that there was some progress on many of them, but one area for improvement is more proactive communication around budget planning.
Morris met almost all the goals, with the one exception of moving sixth graders to the middle school this fall, said Amherst representative Allison McDonald. But she said that Morris brings a humble approach to leadership with tremendous expertise.
Amherst representative Irv Rhodes said succintly “well done,” adding that Morris has a tremendous command of the school system.
“I want you to know that I have really appreciated what you have done for this community in terms of our kids,” Rhodes said.
Morris thanked the committee for the feedback, positive and negative, and wants members to speak with him and have conversations so he and his leadership team can get better.
“I feel incredibly supported, I feel like my work is appreciated and honored by this group, but also that my work is challenged,” Morris said.
Both the Amherst School Committee and Pelham Scholl Committee also gave Morris proficient or exemplary overall ratings overall.
The evaluation doesn’t change the contract the committees approved in March 2021, and which extends through June 2024, with Morris earning a $170,207 salary beginning on July 1, 2021, and future adjustments subject to discussions after July 1, 2022.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
