First Meeting August 12

The first meeting of board members to discuss the superintendent selection process was held last night in Loxley. All board members except Wills were present and the meeting was facilitated by Sally Howell, executive director of the Alabama Association of School Boards.

Ms. Howell led us through a discussion of a process that focuses upon establishing goals for the system, attributes and abilities necessary to move the system towards those goals, timelines for getting things done. Among the challenges identified were:

• Strong Financial Background
• Credible experience in school setting
• Strong personnel skills
• The need for innovation in dealing with emerging challenges
• Communication, Communication
  

Ms. Howell shared pros and cons of using search firms and consultants to assist with the process. Probably the point she made that most gave me pause was that the candidate pool would be diminished if we did not use a search firm because under Alabama law any resume submitted directly to the board is a public document.

We discussed whether to search at all, or just promote an "heir apparent". In that discussion sentiment was expressed by me and a couple of others that a search is in the best interest of the system even if a local candidate eventually emerges as the choice.

I am, quite frankly, very concerned that some members said that they did not see a purpose in a search but seemed rather to have already determined that one current employee should be chosen.

The discussion continued with Ms. Howell telling us that if we search we should define the extent of the search as statewide, regional, or national. Such a determination has an impact on advertisement and posting.

Ms. Howell stressed that we should not do a sham search, that is we shouldn't know we are going to appoint somebody and initiate a "search" to provide an air of legitimacy to the process. I couldn't agree more.

Ms. Howell then led us through discussion of the need for community input and suggested several formats and approaches that had worked elsewhere.

After the meeting formally ended there was additional discussion about naming a successor from within and avoiding the search process. I want the best superintendent we can find, but we cannot know who that person is unless we go through a genuine and sincere search. The challenges identified are enormous, the stakes are high, and the cost of a mistake or lost opportunity simply too great for us not to do what it takes to get the best.

There was no one from the public at our meeting to observe. Only two staff members attended. Not one principal or PTO or Foundation member was there. I am disappointed. Are you going to wait until you are invited to a "community event" or are you going to watch and monitor what we do and how we arrive at our decision? You could wake up one day soon and find out that a selection has been made and that there will not be any need for your input. Please don't sleep through this.