Wareham Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Barry Rabinovitch's performance for this past year was deemed "satisfactory" by the School Committee, earning him a $3,000 pay increase, the Committee announced last Wednesday evening.

"Given the excessive turnover at a number of key positions in the district, the community is fortunate to have such a strong and experienced man as a leader of the district," said School Committee Chair Cliff Sylvia, reading from a compilation of comments from all Committee members.

The $3,000 raise brings Rabinovitch's annual compensation to $156,140, which includes a $9,140 "longevity payment" that he receives when he completes a full year of his contract.

Rabinovitch was praised for setting up the Foundation for Wareham Education, a nonprofit which provides small grants to teachers for supplies in an effort to close the gap between school funding and the financial needs of educators. He was also commended for his fiscal management skills and for fostering relationships with the Town Administrator and Finance Committee.

The superintendent received criticism for student performance on MCAS exams, on which scores have only modestly increased. "Missteps" in communication with the community during the bomb threats this past spring, as well as when questions were raised about bus safety, were another point of criticism.

"There is a perception ... that Dr. Rabinovitch was not fully transparent relative to transportation issues," Sylvia read.

Concerns were raised by citizens early this year regarding the district's aging fleet of school buses and the number of failed Registry of Motor Vehicles inspections in recent years. The School Committee created a Transportation Review subcommittee to examine the operations of the busing operation. The committee's work is ongoing.

Rabinovitch, whose three-year contract ends in 2011, is evaluated annually on his progress on goals and objectives set in the prior year as well as his performance in general responsibilities. (General responsibilities include: his relationship with the school committee, community relationships, staff and personnel relationships, educational leadership, business and finance, and personal qualities.)

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" rating. "Satisfactory" is considered a two on the scale. He was rated "very good" last year and received a $4,000 raise.

Noting that Rabinovitch inherited a "difficult educational environment" with budgetary constraints, "lackluster student achievement," and high turnover in important district positions when he took the post in 2008, Sylvia read: "Dr. Rabinovitch has done a good job in his second year as superintendent."