Public forum to get input on new school CEO

[Anonymous]

FINALLY!

Prince George’s schools chief search committee schedules forums
Ovetta Wiggins Jun 04, 2013 09:34 PM EDT
The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/prince-georges-schools-chief-search-committee-schedules-forums/2013/06/04/07f251ba-cc85-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_story.html

Three listening sessions have been scheduled over the next week to gather information from Prince George’s County community leaders, elected officials and residents about the characteristics they want to see in a new schools chief.

The search committee will meet with community stakeholders during its first session Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. The next session, which will take place after the stakeholders’ meeting finishes, will be with elected officials, including school board members. Both meetings will be at Kent Hall at Prince George’s County Community College.

The final session, a “telephone townhall” format, will be for the general public on June 10. Additional information on how to participate will be released at a later date. County residents can e-mail their questions and/or suggestions to [e-mail].

“These listening sessions are an essential step in the process as we work to identify a new CEO to lead PGCPS. This committee is committed to transparency and input from Prince George’s County residents and stakeholders,” Charlene Dukes, the committee chair, said in a statement. “Over the next few weeks, we look forward to hearing qualities, attributes, experience and criteria that the committee should take into consideration as we select the three finalists for CEO that will be recommended to County Executive Baker.”

The search committee will recommend three names to County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) to choose a new school superintendent for the 123,000-student system.

Alvin Crawley, who was one of the three finalists selected by the school board to become the school system’s permanent superintendent, submitted his resignation after the General Assembly approved legislation that gave Baker the power to select the new schools chief, appoint three school board members and name the board chairman and vice chair.

Last month, Baker asked Crawley to stay on until he names a new chief. Baker said he wanted to have someone selected before school reopens in August.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for posting this information. I have forwarded it on to our neighborhood association. I will also post it on Hope in Hyattsville.

Unfortunately, I am not allowed to be a member of the Hyattsville Moms due to boundary restrictions, so maybe someone will post there too.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for posting this.

Ok everyone, I for one really value the small group of PG posters on this board and think there have been some great ideas discussed on various threads. What are we looking for in a new superintendent? What things seem critical to you all as selection criteria?

[Anonymous]

I REALLY want someone who will listen to teachers in these schools.

The absolute last thing we need as a county is some of the anti-teacher dynamic we've seen in other parts of the country if we want to improve things. We have some really great things going, and a lot of things that are problematic. The teachers, in my experience as a public school parent, know what needs to happen, but don't always have the leeway or resources to do it.

Genuine improvement with any continuity takes time and work, and I worry about some flavor of the month reform idea being foisted upon us.

[Anonymous]

One of the things that really stood out to me when watching the two finalists from other districts in the last round, was that they said yes to everything, or did not have a firm view on things that

So for example one when asked about his view on charter schools, there was some vague answer about putting the child first. Really? You don't have a clear position on whether you are for expanding charters or not and you want to be superintendent? Literally every question that came their way, they said yes to. With what funds are you going to implement that spanish immersion school?

As you can tell I was very irritated. I want someone with a clear vision of how to turn things around, understanding there is no one thing that will be popular with everyone. And someone who is willing to make a commitment to staying and carrying out that vision. No more paying out supers to leave and go elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

That should say "or did not have a firm view on things that are important in shaping the direction of our schools"

[Anonymous]

"No more paying out supers to leave and go elsewhere."

Thank you! I agree. I am sick of our district being a stepping stone.

[Anonymous]

Gah. Bill and Melinda Gates foundation hired Dr. Deasy. To do exactly what he should be doing here? They should have offered to cover his salary and leave him here...

[Anonymous]

Deasy is superintendent in LA now and not doing so well. The union turned on him and no-confidence voted him about a month ago. PGCPS might be looking pretty good to him after that.

[Anonymous]

did the foundation put him there or did BMG not work out?