The list was full of deadlines that had not been met. Many entries on the list were outdated. Some were put on the list by members who no longer serve on the committee.

Some items were duplicates, since oftentimes members frustrated by a report that had not been completed on time would simply request another one.

The current school committee is not unique in its efficiency troubles. More than half of the items awaiting report from the superintendent date from the previous committee, which served from 1998 to 1999.

The reports varied in scope from research-intensive reviews of student achievement to the smallest of details, like repairing band equipment and using seatbelts on busses.

In December of 1999, the committee even asked D'Alessandro to conduct a "review of portions of food given to students during lunch and breakfast, keeping in mind the portions for children in the primary grades as compared to the students in the middle school."

Dealing with this level of detail was daunting. Coupled with the day-to-day tasks of running the school system, the to-do list became too long. Items weren't being checked off very often.

They got put on the "back burner," says Nancy DiLando, D'Alessandro's executive assistant, who has been in charge of managing the to-do list.