A state review committee says Wareham Public Schools are trying to do too much with too little, and that administrators need to focus on doing a better job on fewer educational projects.

While initiatives such as adopting a new math program for kindergarten through 8th grade, and creating alternative programs for at-risk students are worthwhile ventures, "problems with funding, capacity, planning, as well as the inability to resolve differences with the teachers' association have weakened their potential effectiveness," according to the review.

The review committee was comprised of former school administrators and educators, and evaluated the district in February, 2012.

School Committee Chair Geoff Swett explained that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provides a review at no cost to districts "whose students achieve at low levels, either in absolute terms or relative to districts that educate similar populations."

It isn't clear when the last time Wareham has received such a review, but Swett noted that it has not been during the four years Superintendent Dr. Barry Rabinovitch's has been at the helm.

The review committee addressed the evaluation of teachers, the development of more rigorous academic standards, and establishing consistency in the curriculum of the elementary schools, and recommended that the district focus on fewer initiatives in order to more thoroughly implement them.

The committee also recommended focusing on improving the quality of instruction by increasing academic expectations — in math in particular — and providing adequate instruction for more advanced students.

"There is definitely a balancing act," said Janice Rotella, the district's director of curriculum and instruction.

The school system has been dealing with a number of budget-related issues, including layoffs of nine teachers at the middle school, and the cutback of administrators at the elementary school level.

"Which initiatives are we going to look at scaling back on?" asked School Committee member Rhonda Veugen.

Superintendent Rabinovitch replied that it's not clear yet which programs the district can afford to cut without compromising the quality of education, and the review did not specify which initiatives could be done away with.

"The district needs to look at all their programs we have going" and decide which will stay and which will go, the superintendent explained.

Swett asked if there was any program that administrators wished they hadn't started because "it was too much of a diversion."

"At this point, I cannot think of one," said Rotella.

"They clearly said you did too much, and you disagree," Swett replied.

The review committee recommended designating a team to develop, monitor, and evaluate district initiatives, and to "select a limited number of high-impact initiatives to achieve the deepest and highest level of implementation."

Swett noted: "It's awfully easy to say what the district should and shouldn't do in this theoretical world of unlimited resources."

School Committee member Cliff Sylvia echoed that sentiment.

"I understand what this team saw. … We don't have the resources to go after our number-one priorities," said Sylvia. "In our quest to make it work, it's possible that there are programs that are rendering minimal returns."

Another recommendation of the review committee is that Wareham schools increase supervision of teachers in order to "add to teachers' repertoires challenging, innovative practices."

"This year we are fully involved in evaluating our people differently," said Rabinovitch, noting that the review was done more than a year ago, and some recommendations are currently being implemented. "It's all about the quality of instruction."

Another issue that came out of the review was the districts' relationship with the teachers' union. The review encouraged the union to find "low-cost ways to increase common planning time" in order to ensure consistency for students in different classes at the same grade level.

"Centralized development of curriculum" is key, according to Rotella.

"If you have two elementary doing their own things" students will get to middle school with different educational backgrounds depending on which elementary school they attended. This means precious time is wasted just getting all the kids on the same page, Rotella explained.

"The whole district has to be aligned," said Rotella.

Rabinovitch noted that asking teachers to stay late for professional development would cost money at a time when the district is struggling financially.

Sylvia suggested that teachers ought to be willing to put in some extra time after school for the sake of improving the quality of education for Wareham students.

"Professional educators should be committed to improving their skills on a day-to-day basis," said Sylvia. "I'm getting a little sick of hearing 'we don't have time for common planning.' Make the time."

Sylvia also discussed the need to create a "culture of high expectations," not just in the schools, but in the entire community.

"Until we commit to a culture of high expectations, we're going to be having this conversation when I'm dead and gone," said Sylvia.

Another issue that the review committee addressed was the high turnover rate, not just in the school system, but in the town administrator's office and other town departments.

Rabinovitch said that after a recent meeting with town officials, he is optimistic about the current administration, and noted that recently-appointed Town Administrator Derek Sullivan is more "up front" and communicative than past town administrators.

"I'm optimistic," Swett said toward the close of the discussion. "It's too bad we don't have as much money as we do good faith."

Click the link below to read the committee's full report.