Olson reflects on rookie year at helm of school system
Published on June 25th, 2008
STONEHAM, MA - Just one year ago next Tuesday, he came into Stoneham with about the same welcome that a fan in pinstripes receives at Fenway Park.
But since that time, Schools Supt. Dr. Les Olson has certainly restored some frayed relationships and assured his critics that he can manage the helm of the town's education system.
When Olson took over for retired Supt. Dr. Joseph Connelly last July, he was at the center of a brewing maelstrom, which centered upon his hiring over veteran Stoneham High School Principal Dr. Thomas Ryan.
Just weeks later, with the community still criticizing his hiring, the Stoneham school system found itself in the center of yet another controversy as the fate of Stoneham's athletic programs drew another firestorm of public protest.
Not too long afterwards, the Stoneham Teachers' Association, which had imposed an unwelcome work-to-rule action earlier in the year, rejected a new contract offered by education officials.
But Olson and his rookie administrative team weathered those difficulties. Now a year later, the teachers' contract has been settled, the school system emerged from another difficult budget cycle without significant reductions, and school officials enjoy a new spirit of cooperation with their municipal counterparts.
Earlier this week, the former Westborough assistant superintendent took a few minutes to reflect on his first year as Stoneham's top administrator. Excerpts from that interview follow.
SI: With this being your first year as a supt. of schools, did anything surprise you about the job?
Olson: Not really. I had at times taken responsibility for everything I've been doing. I was the primary go-between with the town's officials. Everything I've done this year I had previous done.
SI: Is there anything that surprised you about Stoneham?
Olson: Not really. The first year is always about you getting to know everyone. It's also about giving them the opportunity to get to know me and what they can expect. It's a year of taking stock of things and trying to set the foundation for the future.
SI: What was the biggest challenge you faced during your first year?
Olson: The biggest challenge was probably the two to three weeks before school opened: The staff vacancies, the budget uncertainties, the contract not being resolved. A lot happened very quickly, and in retrospect, was settled very well. Given the fact that in the summer and whole spring, Stoneham was in the news for all the wrong reasons, it was important to get those issues resolved. We were able to put those issues behind us and take care of the educational needs of the students.
SI: In the years before your arrival, officials from the school and municipal sectors tended to commonly butt heads over various funding and spending issues. Those differences dissipated this year. What did you do to bridge that divide?
Olson: My sense is that it has been about a remarkable open process where we're able to discuss any issue. It was about trying to learn the information they needed from me and providing that as quickly as possible. It was also about letting them know that at times, I may need help as well. Any time you can keep open lines of communication, it's gong to help, although that doesn't mean that you're always going to agree.
SI: Given the initial outcry over your hiring, how did you help assure a skeptical public that you were ready to assume control of Stoneham's school system?
Olson: It was by always letting people come and see me to express their concerns and needs. I think people have learned that there's always willingness on my part to sit and listen. I tried to open the process as much as possible, so I could learn from the people who have been here much longer than I have, while also letting people know what the priorities are of the School Committee and the administration.
SI: What challenges lie ahead of you in the coming year?
Olson: One thing that I've noticed that's unusual, and it goes along with the turnover we've had with the whole staff and administration, is that there's also been a big turnover on the School Committee. So [I'm going to focus] on getting to know them and learning what their priorities are. Beginning this year, we also sit down and start another round of contract negotiations, which is always a challenge [with financial restrictions]. But we also have a governor laying down new educational priorities that will have an impact on how [this district operates]. We'll have to sit down and figure out how to work on those issues.
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