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January 27, 2006
Press Release: Bailes believes superintendent search is being handled professionally
This book by John R. Hoyle, Lars G. Björk, Virginia Collier, and Thomas Glass argues for a new, energetic, and visible school superintendent.
For Immediate Release
Bailes believes superintendent search is being handled professionally
Chattanooga, TN/Jan. 27, 2006 ~ I must applaud the professional handling of the ongoing search for a new Superintendent of Schools in Hamilton County. Furthermore, I want to praise the work done by the community and the county school board in setting strong criteria for the next superintendent. Anyone may view the board-approved criteria at the Hamilton County Schools website (www.hcde.org). The target date for hiring the new superintendent is in two months—April 1, 2006. Screening will begin February 27, 2006. Hazard, Young, Attea, & Associates, Ltd. is handling the executive search.
Eleven areas make up the approved criteria for the next superintendent. These areas range from clear and visionary leadership to prudent fiscal management to strong community engagement. The school board has also clarified that candidates for superintendent “understand the operations of a fiscally dependent school system and the need to build and maintain positive relationships” between the county commission and county board. However, the next superintendent will not be required to possess an “earned doctorate from an accredited institution” although it is preferred.
Obviously, the successor to Jesse Register will need to think on his/her feet since he/she must be ready to respond in a proactive way to our unique challenges and opportunities. This leader must set policies that are oriented toward building trust through engagement and reaching achievement through accountability. Strategically building consensus and creating measurable goals will allow for the convergence of new ideas. Whatever the disputes of the past, fresh change will bring together a new year of school board members and county commissioners.
To help change now, I have proposed an “Accountability Agreement.” This is really a “Responsibility Agreement.” I believe that thoughtful people can agree to be responsible. Otherwise we will continue to do what one District 8 teacher so feared: Keep “our children . . . prisoners in a childish war.”
To reach responsible agreement between our county leaders, the school board has taken the first step. The school board approved tough criteria for selecting a new superintendent. These criteria identify abilities that must already have been demonstrated by the candidate. Surely, we deserve the best professional out there to come here and lead the county’s largest employment system, a system of teachers caring for more than 40,000 students.
So the stakes are high to find the right “CEO” for the county educational system. The stakes are high not only for our schools, but also for our businesses. Supporting quality education and stimulating business growth are two sides of the same coin. The engine of economic development is a strong school system. And the keys to a strong superintendent are building trust through engagement and reaching achievement through accountability.
| By wjbailes | 02:59 PM
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