In a performance evaluation of his work during the 2010-2011 school year, the School Committee rated Wareham Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Barry Rabinovitch "very good," which earned him a $4,000 pay increase.

Rabinovitch is evaluated annually on his progress in meeting goals set in the prior year and his performance in “general responsibilities." Rabinovitch was rated "satisfactory" last year and awarded a $3,000 raise.

"This year was an improvement and it shows that there is still flexibility there for more improvement," said School Committee member Kenneth Fontes after reading a compilation of scores and comments from School Committee members.

Each member of the School Committee evaluates the superintendent. An average of all scores is then taken to determine the overall rating, which ranges from zero, or "unacceptable," to four, or "outstanding." "Very good" is considered a three on that scale.

"This evaluation is part of the superintendent's contract," Fontes explained. "Forget the amount of increase and remember the increase in the amount of improvement that's taking place in our school system."

The superintendent's four goals were in the areas of student achievement, technology, school and community partnerships, and procuring resources. His "general responsibilities" include his relationship with the School Committee, community relationships, staff and personnel relationships, educational leadership, business and finance, and personal qualities.

Rabinovitch was praised for his demeanor and leadership, as well as his work in the community.

"I believe Dr. Rabinovitch has a sincere caring for this district as well as for the students and staff who are involved in the learning process," School Committee member Rhonda Veugen said.

Fontes mentioned Rabinovitch's volunteer work at the Cape Verdean Festival in Onset as an example of his dedication to the community.

Rabinovitch was "very involved in cooking about 2,000 linguica sandwiches," Fontes said with a laugh.

School Committee members were critical of what they considered minimal progress toward increasing student achievement, but said Rabinovitch did well in his efforts to increase achievement with dwindling resources.

"The achievement gap of Wareham students correlates very well with the level of per-pupil spending in Wareham Public Schools," said School Committee member Cliff Sylvia. "Wareham has one of the lowest per-pupil spending [amounts] in the entire state."

That sentiment was echoed by the rest of the committee.

Saying that he would like to see the superintendent focus more on closing the "achievement gap," the difference between state averages and the averages of Wareham students, Fontes noted: "In business and in finance, you can't get blood out of a stone. ... I think the superintendent has done well with the resources that have been given to him."

Fontes commended the superintendent, noting that Rabinovitch must decide what to cut when funding is not available.

"You go to Minot Forest [Elementary] and you have 'art on a cart,'" Fontes pointed out. "The only thing I want to see on a cart is coffee!"

Committee members agreed, however, that Rabinovitch must continue to find ways to increase achievement no matter the budget.

"I find myself in a difficult situation because all my research into student learning ... tells me that nobody, nobody understands everything that needs to be done to improve education in public schools," said School Committee member Geoff Swett.

The federal Department of Education, via the No Child Left Behind Act, is demanding that students demonstrate proficiency in reading and math by 2014, but does tell schools how to make that happen, Swett said.

"In the end, I believe all we can do is hire the best people we can afford to lead our professional staff and hold everybody accountable for the quality and quantity of their efforts," Swett continued. "Our superintendent is one of those 'best people.'"