By Carol Britton Meyer

The school committee recently rated Superintendent of Schools Judith Kuehn’s overall performance as “proficient.”

“The public should understand that the definition of ‘proficient’ is ‘fully satisfactory, rigorous,’” member Kyle Conley said at the committee’s most recent meeting.

“Amazingly proficient,” Chair Stephanie Peters added. “I hope you remain with the Hull Public Schools for many years.”

The committee reviewed Kuehn’s recently-completed self-evaluation and then submitted their comments to be compiled by Office Manager Maggie Ollerhead for presentation at the public meeting.

“This is one of the things I’m most proud of,” Peters said. “We’ve been doing this evaluation in public for several years.”

The committee uses a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education evaluation form for superintendents, which includes the categories of professional practices, student learning goals, instructional leadership, management and operations, human resources, professional culture, and family engagement.

Kuehn scored highly in every category and was praised for her communications skills, team leadership, respectful presence, and support for meeting the social-emotional and other needs of students.

Appreciation also was expressed for her quickly stepping into the superintendent role to fill a vacancy three years ago and for her leadership before and after the COVID19 pandemic and during the first phase of the consolidation of Hull’s three schools.

“Judy started out as director of student services, which is proof that you can move up through the ranks if you do all the right things,” committee member David Twombly said. “She has been through some tough times, and she is the hardest worker I have ever seen.”

Member Ernest Minelli noted that “whether it’s a large-scale update or a micro detail, you always take a team-based approach as part of a seamless, cohesive whole. There’s always a focus on student learning and how that can be improved upon, and you always emphasize that we are making progress.”

Peters added her praise. “You’re meeting our expectations,” she told Kuehn. “Keep at it!”

Kuehn said she considers it a privilege to work for the HPS.

“It’s a job I truly love,” she said. “We have a great team.”