Latifah Phillips, seen at her interview with the School Committee last week, has been chosen as interim superintendent for the coming school year.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Community members and officials overwhelmingly favored Latifah Phillips for interim superintendent, citing her vision, vibe, and experience as tools that can make positive change.

"The mayor wanted to express that all three candidates shared some great answers during the interview process. However, one candidate stood out with her vision, and that is [Phillips]," Director of Administrative Services and Public Information Officer Catherine Van Bramer read on behalf of Mayor Peter Marchetti, who was unable to attend Wednesday's meeting.

"[Phillips] provided well-rounded responses and highlighted an understanding of what our district and community need. She focused on building collaboration as she stated that the school district is the future of our community."

On Wednesday, the School Committee voted to appoint Phillips to the one-year position, recognizing that they were fortunate to have three strong candidates to choose from. Phillips is currently the chief equity and engagement officer for the Lowell Public Schools and has prior experience as the director of Native education for the state of Washington's Department of Education and the assistant secretary of Indian education in the New Mexico Public Education Department.

She, Robert Putnam and Roland Joyal Jr. were interviewed last week at Reid Middle School.

Residents speaking during open microphone and School Committee members recognized the Pittsfield Public Schools' struggles over the last six months after becoming embroiled in a staffing scandal. While misconduct allegations are largely reported as "unsustained," community members recognized the importance of rebuilding trust and morale.

"I stand here this evening to respectfully suggest that the highest priority for our district and our city is healing the hurt in allegations of impropriety and criminal behavior at Pittsfield High School and the subsequent investigations that it has caused. Rebuilding trust with students, staff, and the public is paramount to the future vitality and success of the Pittsfield Public Schools. New buildings and programs don't make a district; the people do," resident Maureen Russo said.

"I believe that [Phillips] is the candidate best suited to help move us beyond the current environment of suspicion and negativity and build a new foundation in which we can begin to rebuild and restore trust in the district and the community and to begin the very important work of rebuilding morale among the dedicated, talented people who work very hard every day to support the students of the Pittsfield Public Schools."

Michele Rivers Murphy, a former independent consultant for Pittsfield, said Phillips is "unequivocally the best in the most qualified and will best serve Pittsfield Public Schools and its needs."

Chair William Cameron's first choice was Putnam, former superintendent of the Central Berkshire Regional and the Adams-Cheshire Regional School Districts who has filled interim posts since his retirement. He was the lone vote in opposition to Phillips' appointment, but expressed that he would like to change his vote so that the appointment was unanimous.

Cameron explained, "My first choice would be Dr. Putnam. But if the choice is Dr. Phillips, then I wish her Godspeed."

"Dr. Putnam was the assistant superintendent in Central Berkshire for the three years that I was superintendent there, and I have never worked with a more impressive individual in my life," Cameron said.

"He was, and he remains, I believe, extremely bright, a very hard worker. His work is meticulous. He can multitask, and he also is a pleasure to work with."

During the discussion, student representatives pointed to the importance of having a multiracial woman lead a diverse district such as PPS, and others pointed to the racist rhetoric that has surrounded the PHS investigations. Cameron recognized that Phillip's experience as a Title IX coordinator could bring a meaningful perspective to the district.

"I do think that Dr. Phillips would bring a presence, not because she is multiracial, but because of her actual work experience to this district, which obviously needs help in that regard," he said.

School Committee member Diana Belair thought everybody brought something great to the table, "But like everybody else who came up here tonight, and like I've heard from community members in my inbox, I too strongly believe that [Phillips] is the best candidate to move forward."

"Her energy during the interview was contagious. I could feel it all the way across the room. I believe that she had a vision, and I think that is something that we need, like others have stated tonight. I believe that her background in equity and inclusion brings a different light to our district," she said.

"I just feel like she comes with a lot of experience. It's not superintendency experience, but it's a lot of varied experience, and she really wants this job. I don't think you can discredit somebody who really just wants the job and wants to do what it takes to get the job and do what it takes to do a good job at it. She came with ideas. She came with questions. She did her research ahead of time — she just, in my opinion, she was far ahead of the other two candidates."

School Committee member Sara Hathaway thought they should have more than one candidate under consideration in case they couldn't reach a salary agreement, disclosing that Putnam is her second choice after Philips.

"Right after (Phillips') interview, I went to her and said, ‘Would you be interested in the full-time permanent position?' And she was very gracious, and she smiled and sort of laughed, and she said, ‘I don't want to answer because it might hurt my chances, one way or another, on this,'" Hathaway reported.

"So we don't know for sure what her plans might be, whether Berkshire County is a place that she would have considered if she hadn't seen the advertisement for her for this position, but I came away very impressed with her and hopeful that she could be our leader for the next year."

School Committee member Dominick Sacco felt all of the candidates brought to the table were "quite incredible."

"And I think that having three really good candidates to choose from is a plus for our community, because there are some situations that we could have run into either having one candidate or having to put another search out," he said.

He was intrigued by Phillips' preparation for the interview and cited her experience in the United States and beyond.  Sacco noted that she brings diversity to the district, "And I think that is so important in our world today, and the cultures that we are serving, that someone understands and relates to people of diverse families."

"She does have a vision," he said. "If you saw her interview, and I'm sure you did, she's got a drive in her that is very powerful."

Sacco has worked with Putnam in the Southern Berkshire area and noted that he brings "a lot of talent" and is knowledgeable about the area.

Similarly, Vice-Chair Daniel Elias thought all three candidates could do the job well and are "exceptionally good human beings who have done great work in the communities that they have served."

"We are fortunate to have three excellent choices, which makes this a difficult decision. I really labored over this decision," he said.

Though he felt that Phillips struggled with questioning about the budget, Elias felt she had the best interview.

"She is very impressive. There was a common kindness to her, and I liked all her answers, with the exception of the budget question, where I did think she struggled. She has no superintendent-level experience, but she does have a lot of different and unique experiences, especially in equity and engagement, improvement in relationships, and most notably with family connections," he said.

"I liked her almost immediately. I actually wrote halfway through her interview that I liked her better as a full-time superintendent than as the interim superintendent, based on the learning curve that she might encounter. However, I do believe that she will bring a sense of calm and build relationships and goodwill, and could offer a fresh start that many are asking for."

School Committee member William Garrity feels Phillips' passion to serve in Pittsfield shows that she is ready to integrate into this community and move it past these challenging past few months.  He was impressed with her work as Title IX coordinator and, after reading the executive summaries of the PHS investigation released last week, feels her expertise is needed.

"What stood out to me is that when we asked her the first question, she stated that even if an allegation comes back unsubstantiated, it doesn't see doesn't mean no harm was done," he explained.

"She shared that she has used restorative practices to address the harm that was done as a result of an allegation and to ensure students still feel safe in their schools. I believe this expertise is much needed right now in Pittsfield."

Noting that "this point will get some people not happy with me," he said that the allegations have given some members of the community "a pass to share their racist views," and the belief that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is behind all of it.

"This talk in the community sickens me, I think we are better than this. When I met with PHS students in January, the racism that was spreading in the community was hurting them, and I still believe that is the case. I believe Dr. Phillips' experience working with diversity and equity initiatives will help to restore a sense of belonging in our schools and help to combat some of the racist narratives going on in our community," Garrity said.

"Additionally, I feel should be a strong role model for our students, especially our students of color, and these challenging times, both here in Pittsfield and nationally."

 

• Most Read

• Most Comments

• All News

• Blogroll

• Photos