After one year on the job, Superintendent Gary Fields of Bowling Green Independent School District exceeded expectations on four of six leadership standards while meeting expectations on the two remaining standards. 

That was the decision the district’s Board of Education reached when it released the results of Fields’ evaluation following closed-door talks that stretched for over an hour. 

Board chairwoman Deborah Williams read off Fields’ performance on each of the six standards assessed. Fields ranked “exemplary” and exceeded standards across the areas of strategic, instructional, managerial and collaborative leadership. He scored accomplished in the areas of cultural and human resources leadership. 

Williams also shared comments included with the board’s evaluation. 

“As an educational leader, Mr. Fields provides students success through collaboration, welcomes feedback from faculty, staff, board members, stakeholders and families within the community. He utilizes resources to address the diverse needs of students and the diverse interests of the community. 

“He promotes student success by implementing programs that are conducive to learning and provides opportunity for continued professional development. His leadership focuses on both the internal and external factors that impact Bowling Green Independent School District’s educational mission, and his dedication and commitment to Bowling Green Independent School District is very much appreciated.”

Following the release of the results, the board moved to amend Fields’ contract to increase his base annual salary from $125,000 to $127,500 effective retroactively July 1. 

After the meeting adjourned, Fields said he appreciated the board’s feedback and that he wants to keep working with them for the school district’s benefit. 

Williams also elaborated on how the board reached its decision despite differing opinions about how to conduct the evaluation. The board met in July to conduct the evaluation. It ultimately decided it was too soon to make a decision and tabled the evaluation until its next meeting. Board members reviewed documents detailing challenges Fields faced during his first year on the job. 

“He has done an exceptional job this year,” Williams said of the Fields’ performance. 

Williams praised Fields’ efforts to address curriculum needs by hiring instructional coaches as “a very proactive approach.” She added Fields did well at transitioning into the position and working with existing foundations. 

“It’s been good to have fresh eyes look at stuff,” she said. 

Fields has been in education for 21 years, including four years as a teacher, three years as principal of Potter Gray Elementary School and 13 years as principal of Bowling Green High School. 

The board also approved several agreements for district projects. 

Professor Cheryl Wolf of Western Kentucky University’s Counseling and Student Affairs Department spoke about a research project to study implementing career academies in schools. Researchers will conduct focus groups among students and adults before implementing the academies next August. The effort includes developing new training for counselors and teachers. 

The board also approved an agreement with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to start an advanced manufacturing and robotics program where high school students can learn on industry equipment. 

“We are starting off with a two-year program,” Fields said. “Juniors will be entering the program for two years. They will exit the program with 29 hours of credit,” from Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College. 

The district is putting in $20,000 to help cover the cost of instructors along with Warren County Public Schools, which is putting in $100,000. 

The board also approved a contract with nonprofit Ford Next Generation Learning to help develop career academies, such as a health sciences career academy. 

— Follow education reporter Aaron Mudd on Twitter @BGDN_edbeat or visit bgdailynews.com.