Watertown was known for its outstanding special education and English language learning programs for many years under Mr. Early.   The school system subsequently hired a Superintendent, Ann Koufman-Frederick, who had broad experience including time at the prestigious Carroll School for special needs students.  The resignation of Superintendent Koufman-Frederick to take an Assistant Superintendent job in Newton was the beginning of a chaotic series of personnel actions that decimated special education.  Processes broke down.  Cronyism dominated as personal relationships and hiring correlated.