BOSTON — Bill Burkhead is a first-time superintendent.
He’s only been on the job in Scituate one month, but he’s already getting a lot of attention for speaking his mind.
“I think the highest priority, I think we would all agree, is our children’s education, and I think the governor would agree to that as well. I think maybe behind closed doors, that’s a top priority but the perception is and the actions to date haven’t reflected that,” Burkhead said.
So he wrote an open letter to Governor Baker expressing his frustration.
He said it’s resonating with many other superintendents across the Commonwealth.
He wrote, “it’s not too late to push back and start holding the governor accountable” and that “our inability to have a state-wide prescriptive plan laid-out by our governor and supported by our commissioner has put us all in a lose-lose situation.”
Burkhead said he wrote the letter in his office Sunday, while responding to more than 500 emails.
He wondered why the governor hasn’t developed a precise re-opening plan for schools, like he did for businesses.
He wrote, “wouldn’t it be great if the governor’s team had such a detailed and well-thought-out plan for our schools? Are they not as important?”
Burkhead said superintendents and school committee members are taking Zoom calls and doing forums with their communities, with their teachers and with their students.
“It would be nice if the governor could do that and listen to what the heartbeat is of the state, take that information and take action like we are in lock-step...I think that would be a great message for everybody,” Burkhead said.
Burkhead said he has not heard from Governor Baker. Boston 25 News also reached out to the governor’s office for comment but have not heard back.
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