DeKalb Schools Superintendent Search- Timeline for 2014-2015
- Letter From PCU – Community Leaders
- Letter From PCU – Best Practices
Message From State Rep Scott Holcomb
Message From DeKalb CEO Lee May
PROACT was hired as the superintendent search firm at the 12/17/2014 board meeting. PROACT gave an update at the 01/12/2015 board meeting. Since December, they have been working with DeKalb Schools Chief of Staff, Ramona Tyson, and her staff to identify key members of the community as well as identify locales, times and schedules for public engagement sessions.
Dozens of community meetings are being scheduled for the first two weeks in February. PROACT is also working with the central office to put together an online survey.
Various members of the community have asked that the administration step away from the process and follow best practices by letting a community search committee drive the search. Atlanta Public Schools had a successful superintendent search using a committee composed of stakeholders that included parents, board members, community representatives and business leaders. DeKalb’s Parent Councils United (PCU) has called for DCSD to use a similar method and cited the APS Superintendent Search Committee Framework saying,
“I just wanted to pass along the attached APS document regarding their superintendent search. One important note: they asked their selection committee to assist the BOE in managing the search firm rather than asking the search firm to manage the selection committee. This is also the model that has been successful for other systems across the country. “
THE ATLANTA BOARD OF EDUCATION
SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH COMMITTEE
PURPOSE AND FRAMEWORK
Purpose
1. To manage the Superintendent Search Firm
2. To create a timeline for the search process
3. Identify 3 – 5 candidates for the Board’s screening
4. Create an atmosphere for community input
5. Assist/guide the Board in introducing the final candidates to the community
Composition
The Board agreed on a 13 member committee that represents an inclusive and broad population of stakeholders.
1. THE MAYOR OR HIS DESIGNEE (1)
2. PARENT ORGANIZATIONS ( ONE PERSON TO REPRESENT ALL OF THE PARENT ORGANIZATIONS) (1)
a. THE ORGANIZATIONS WILL SUBMIT ONE RECOMMENDATION THAT WILL REPRESENT THEIR COLLECTIVE INTEREST AND STAKEHOLDERS.
- Council of Intown Neighborhoods and Schools (CINS)
– (Grady Cluster) - Southeast Atlanta Communities for Schools (SEACS)
– (Jackson Cluster) - SW and NW Atlanta Parents and Partners for Schools (SNAPPS)
– (Mays, Washington, Therrell and Douglass Clusters) - North Atlanta Parents for Public Schools (NAPPS)
– (North Atlanta Clusters) - Embracing Mays Community and Cluster Schools (ECM2)
– (Mays Cluster)
3. TEACHER ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTATIVE (1)
4. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL/GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE (1)
5. ATLANTA COUNCIL OF PTAS (1)
6 THROUGH 9 – MEMBERS CHOSEN THROUGH BOARD VOTE (4)
a. MEMBERS WILL SUBMIT 3 NAMES W/QUALIFICATIONS FOR RANKING AND CONSIDERATION REPRESENTING
i. DR. CYNTHIA KUHLMAN
ii. MR. ERNEST GREER
iii. DR. BEVERLY TATUM
iv. MS. ANN CRAMER
10 THROUGH 13 BOARD CHAIR’S CHOICE (4)
a. THE BOARD CHAIR WILL APPOINT 3 BOARD MEMBERS AND 1 AD HOC MEMBER
i. EMMETT JOHNSON, AT-LARGER SEAT 9
ii. CECILY HARSCH-JOHNSON, DISTRICT 3
iii. COURTNEY ENGLISH. AT-LARGE SEAT 7
iv. WILLIAM ‘BILL’ ROGERS, CEO SUNTRUST BANK
“Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue.”
If we’re going to have civic organizations involved, per Mr. Mays’ email, I suggest having an elected official, plus a rep from each of the Chambers of Commerce/business alliances of the incorporated cities in DeKalb Co too.
If racial representation is also required, then a rep from the Latino and Far Eastern ethnic communities, as well as rep(s) for the resettled refugees should be required.