Hite receives positive performance evaluation

Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. has gotten his report card: solid, but not straight A's.

And though he was eligible for a performance bonus, Hite declined one, citing the Philadelphia School District's dire financial straits.

The city schools leader was evaluated by the School Reform Commission in six areas: student growth and achievement; systems leadership; district operations and financial management; communication and community relations; human resources management; and professionalism.

Hite was judged "proficient" in all areas but one, operations and financial management. He earned the highest rating, "distinguished," on that score. Four ranks were possible, including "needs improvement" and "failing."

The evaluation, which covers the 2013-14 school year, was published online Thursday by the district.

Noting the "year of sacrifice" Hite presided over - thousands of jobs lost, 24 schools closed, and myriad other cuts - the SRC said that "surviving this year was possible due to Dr. Hite's strong leadership as well as the commitment and hard work of teachers, administrators, families, and students who gave more and made do with less to keep Philadelphia's schools together."

The SRC, in its written evaluation, thanked Hite for "his exceptional work, which, in any other context, would merit performance compensation."

Hite is paid $300,000 annually.

Marjorie Neff, the SRC's chairwoman, characterized the evaluation as a good one.

SRC members and city leaders have often referred to Hite as one of the nation's top educators. Asked why he was judged proficient but not distinguished in most categories, Neff noted that part of the evaluation was a self-assessment by the superintendent.

"I think that Dr. Hite is a very reflective leader, and identified things in every category that he wanted to do better," Neff said. "I think that the evaluation is reflective of that."

She also said the four-point scale, which mirrors state principals' and teachers' evaluations, was imperfect, and that Hite was judged distinguished in some areas not noted in the public evaluation.

Neff said she was not surprised that Hite declined the bonus.

"He's been asking staff of the School District to make sacrifices. It's very consistent with who he is, his professionalism - his moral compass as far as I'm concerned is right on target," she said.

Neff said the evaluation had been delayed because of the district's financial crisis and changes on the SRC. She said that future evaluations would not be so late, and that the 2014-15 school year review would likely be available in the fall.

Other members of the SRC offered praise for the superintendent.

Commissioner Bill Green said Hite's leadership "is the major reason I was willing to leave City Council to support him and the district. He walks the talk, and the families of Philadelphia are fortunate to have him fighting for them."

Feather O. Houston, the longest-tenured commissioner, said that "during seemingly unending funding uncertainty, Bill Hite has stayed focused on improving our schools for Philadelphia's children. He has rebuilt the district's credibility among important constituencies and set a foundation that will allow us to make best use of the increased funding we are advocating for."