Sitting in a semi-circle of school committee members, Superintendent Doug White’s yearly evaluation started as less a celebrity roast and more of a discussion on the value of public evaluation.

As part of Massachusetts’ open meeting law, the district is required to hold a public evaluation on the Superintendent each year.

Members of the Joint School Committee spent time prior to the meeting evaluating White based on a rubric with six categories, including general management, educational leadership and public relations.

Although White’s overall score averaged 3.64 out of 4, many committee members expressed awkwardness over the method.

“I understand we’re here because of the law,” said ORR School Committee Member Nick Decas. “I don’t believe it should be done, so my comments will be written and signed. I don’t feel it’s professional to do this in front of staff or press.”

“If there was a problem, I hope as professionals we already approached him,” said Christine Winters.

White acknowledged the awkwardness of the situation but said the group, “Regardless, as I go through the course of the year and try to provide services necessary for the children of our district, I look at this tool often and look at the rubric.”

He said, “I don’t want to lose focus. I just want to make sure we have quality education for our kids.”

For the remainder of the meeting, the group decided to take down a projection that detailed each person’s individual scores. They acknowledged that the state would continue to require evaluation based on its rubric.

Continuing with the evaluation, the group had mostly praise for White, including in the area of budgets and teacher negotiations.

“I thought this year’s budget process was outstandingly painful, but through the process itself you gave us accurate, transparent, creative solutions,” said Mattapoisett School Committee member Virginia Beams.

Many at the table said White’s actions were transparent throughout the year, and he provided clear information in the face of difficult circumstances in the district.

Jay Pateakos of Marion said, “There were a few issues that we found out from parents, and it was just something that, in hindsight, we should have heard from the Superintendent first.”

Pateakos and his fellow committee member Christine Winters agreed that, after speaking with White, the situation had improved.

ORR School Committee member James O’Brien said, “Not everyone may agree with his choices but the tough choices have to be made. Mr. White is the man for the job, and we’re lucky to have him.”