By George P. Hassett

For the second year in a row the top official in the Somerville public school system was rated by the School Committee as exceeding the requirements of his job.

Anthony Pierantozzi, superintendent of schools, faced his second formal evaluation since taking the job in July 2005. The evaluation was conducted by the school committee’s seven members and Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone.

The committee assessed Pierantozzi‚Äôs performance on the job in 10 areas ranging from improving MCAS scores to maintaining facilities for students and staff. The goal Pierantozzi scored worst on last year ‚Äì diversifying staff ‚Äî  was not included this year.

Last year on the diversity issue he was rated between “partially meeting the goal” and “not meeting the goal at all” by Ward 5 School Committee member Mark Niedergang who, at the time, said the lack of minority staff in city schools is unacceptable.

At this year’s evaluation meeting Niedergang encouraged his fellow school committee members to appraise Pierantozzi’s performance critically if necessary in spite of the instinct to come together in the wake of the devastating fire at the East Somerville Community School.

“We’re currently in a crises and it is natural and reasonable in a time like this to gather and be supportive of one another but tonight we have a specific job to do and that is to evaluate the superintendent’s performance,” he said.

Without the diversity issue as part of his evaluation this year Pierantozzi, out of 80 individual scores, did not receive a single rating below “successfully met the requirements of the job in most areas of responsibility.”

His lowest score came on goal 6, “Create a technology rich environment that supports student achievement and produces lifelong learners better able to succeed in an information society.” Pierantozzi scored a 2.66, meaning the eight evaluators thought he more than successfully met the requirements of the job.

One anonymous evaluator whose comments were read aloud at the Dec. 12 meeting said the issue was one of Pierantozzi’s few weaknesses.

At the meeting, Pierantozzi he was puzzled by the relatively low score he got on the goal.

“Every class is using laptop computers. Our library is computerized. We have been recognized as a statewide leader in human resource technology and our instructor’s have integrated it into the curriculum. I’m very proud of the way we have used technology in the school system,” he said. “I have to say this is the most surprising of all the evaluations.”

Ward 6 School Committee Member Paul Bockelman said evaluators focused less on administrative use of technology, such as computerizing the library and human resource department, and more on what’s offered in the classroom.

Pierantozzi’s best score came on goal 3, “Efficiently and effectively use School Department funds for operating the district and the schools and providing staff, programs and services to benefit children and learning.”