Dear Norwalk Superintendent Candidate,
We’re excited to have you interview with the Norwalk Public School System. You may have heard a few things about us. The fact that you’re reading here is a good sign, you know how to use Google. Our previous superintendent, Sal Corda, wasn’t such a bad guy, but he was a lousy manager and a horrible leader of the business side of running a school district. Those are important things, and we’ll come back to those later. First though, we must have a frank discussion about our political and elected body the board of education (BOE). They have appointed themselves the review committee. It’s ironic that they view themselves as most qualified to conduct a search when they have failed to provide not only academic guidance to our previous superintendent, but also have encouraged the waste of millions of tax payer dollars outside of classroom focused instruction.
Like all rigged games, there’s a way to score well on their evaluations. Consider this our gift to you, the cheat sheet to the BOE.
1. Don’t use big words. The educational aptitude of this board is rather low. Complex sentence structure and complex ideas are beyond their grasp.
2. Don’t bruise their egos. They will react negatively to the “I” word. They think that they are part of the educational “team” and therefor represent the educational administration. Encourage the perception that they matter, but really they will just rubber stamp any proposal that you pitch, especially if you throw in enough references to test scores.
3. Say you’ll move to Norwalk if you don’t already live here. They are sensitive to the issue of local talent at the expense of administrative experience. Its a long story.
4. Say your focus is on delivering the best education to Norwalk’s children. We really know that your focus is on herding administrators and educators to do more with less, wrangle with unfunded mandates and secure as much money to make it all happen. Unfortunately they don’t want to hear those things, they want to hear the superficial promises that make them feel good.
That should do the trick. If you really want to know what’s going on, we suggest that you actually visit some schools, talk to a few teachers and principals and review the PTO minutes. They really know what is going on in the schools.
Overall Norwalk Public Schools are a great opportunity for some young administrator like yourself. You can make a difference here if you really make a commitment to shifting funding ratios towards classroom education and away from administrative functions. You have some real deadwood still preventing that from happening. You’ll need to tap into volunteer parents and eager teachers that have been dying to work with someone that will listen. We hope you are good at listening and being inclusive in how to solve problems. Our past superintendent was a tad too jaded to embrace that community participation.
If you’re the type of superintendent that wants to increase the size of Education Inc. here in Norwalk, then you’re not going to be a good fit. If you’re the type of superintendent that wants to empower the schools to achieve real educational goals while you battle the state bureaucrats on their behalf, then you’re our type of superintendent. Meanwhile, you still have to get through your interview process with our BOE. Good luck, and keep in mind that we are always here.
Sincerely,
The readers of yourCT.com.
I find it hilarious that the BOE first says it can find its own superintendent, then in the next breath it says it's hiring a search firm to do the job for them. Of course, this is more taxpayer money being wasted for no good reason, but hey, standard operating procedures from the BOE at all times.
Oh, may I fawn, please may I? this post by turfgrrl is too funny too true and too good not to be read by all. Too bad nobody reads the Hour anymore…maybe if they put the Letters to the Editor opposite the Obituary page. Might hit a little too close to home….just a thought. Thanks for giving me something to laugh at today.
The good news is that, when they "balanced" the budget, they made sure to give themselves a few bucks to attend conferences (even though it was at the expense of classroom education) so we all know that they'll be getting all the training they need to make the right choice this time– and if they fail, if the past is prologue, it will only take them about 8 years to figure it out.
You've got the foxes guarding the henhouse…the BOE must think the Norwalk Taxpayer has an IQ hovering around room temperature (Celsius).
Take heart!!! Do not be discouraged!!!!
There are only 60 (it's shortly after midnight as I write) calendar days left until Election Day. Unless they pull off a major miracle, I don't think they can find a superintendent in that short of a time period. If you are upset about this, remember, on Election Day, you have the opportunity to flex some muscle. I believe four slots (Murray, Jimenez, Bishop-Pullan plus Burnett's seat) are open. By voting, you can make a difference, a big difference. Don't miss this opportunity, we'll all have to live the results, one way or the other.
I don't see how the board can find another superintendent by Election Day, especially if they allow the various constituent groups to meet the candidates and ask questions. It will be an unforgivable act if the board gives Norwalk anything other than a superlative superintendent. It may take time to find him/her but it is far better to do this slowly and deliberately than it is to make another mistake. Norwalk cannot afford that.
Although many of us see the ridiculousness of the majority on the Board of Ed having the chutzpah to announce that they are supremely qualified to pick the next superintendent, I hope that we all realize some salient facts: (1) the majority of members on the BOE helped hide Corda's contract renewal in 2007 and approved it (in spite of the lousy grades the Cambridge Report gave the central administration at the same time); (2) two current members (Jimenez and Murray) actually voted for Corda; (3) the majority approved the hiring of the current Asst. Supt. who, despite being a very kind gentleman, was a dismal failure as an interim high school principal and should have never been hired over the far more talented other applicant
Although many of us see the ridiculousness of the majority on the Board of Ed having the chutzpah to announce that they are supremely qualified to pick the next superintendent, I hope that we all realize some salient and troubling facts: (1) the majority of members on the BOE helped hide Corda's contract renewal in 2007 and approved it (in spite of the lousy grades the Cambridge Report gave the central administration at the same time); (2) two current members (Jimenez and Murray) actually voted for Corda; (3) the majority approved the hiring of the current Asst. Supt. who, despite being a very kind gentleman, was a dismal failure as an interim high school principal and should have never been hired over the far more talented other applicant.
My hope is that enough of us speak out at any BOE candidate forum that's held to let the majority know that their actions are being closely watched by all of us.
I'm still asking the same question – if the BOE thinks it's "supremely qualified to pick the new superintendent" then WHY are they spending taxpayer dollars to hire a search firm to do the job for them?
If they're so "qualified" they shouldn't need a search firm.
If they need a search firm, then obviously they're not qualified to pick the next superintendent themselves.
Doesn't anyone see through this charade?
SecondhandRose: I have no issue with hiring a search firm. That the BOE thinks it exclusively should be on the search review committee is the problem. It is not transparent, it is not in keeping with the best practices used by school boards throughout the country and is indicative of the fear this BOE has about open government. Ironic for an educational board.
On NorwalkNet Moina Noor is reporting that it's open warfare now between the BOE and the teachers union. The BOE has filed a complaint againt the UTF president.
http://www.norwalknet.com/2009/09/breaking-news-b...
On NorwalkNet Moina Noor is reporting that it's open warfare now between the BOE and the teachers union. The BOE has filed a complaint againt the NTF president.
Turffie I can see that in the sidebar you have answered my comment above. But unfortunately it is only appearing in the sidebar, and NOT here where the comments should be. So not only am I unable to respond back to you, I am completely unable to read your response to MY comment in the first place!
Can you PLEEEEEEZE *FIX* this problem!!!??? It's happening on threads all over this board, not just this one.
It is not only wise, but it is also necessary for the board to use a consultant to find candidates for the superintendency, as long as they don't resort to a consultant like the one Sal Corda hired, a man who had been an associate of his. The man didn't seem to have a clue about the school district or about the two high schools that were in need of new principals. I don't know anyone other than Sal and Stu who was impressed by the man.
The board needs a consulting firm that has national exposure and significant experience in hiring for urban districts. Given the salary paid in Norwalk, there should be enough qualified individuals who will apply — unless this board of education scares them off.
So you mean to tell me that the BOE is incapable of sending out solicitations for resumes through employment agencies, websites and newspapers? Gosh, that's really amusing. Museums manage to find executive directors, curators, and other staff simply by putting ads in NEMA publications – why shouldn't the BOE be able to publicise their search in educational publications and other print and online venues?
Hiring a search firm, particularly during a recession when money is tight everywhere, is an irresponsible use of taxpayer funds. In fact, any BOE ought to be able to find a person to fill a superintendent position from the pool of teachers and education professionals within its own district. A national search shouldn't even be a necessity.
One of the first things that Dr. Papallo said when he attended the first Board meeting was that the BOE's interview process was so grueling and difficult that one candidate walked away saying he would never apply for a position like that again. I don't know if it was for the principalship of one of the schools or the Superintendent's position. I don't believe Dr. Papallo said one way or the other.
While that remark could be interpreted as the candidate was not the right one for the position, the ominous fact is that word gets around. Apparently there were also confidentiality issues, too. Neither of those facts bode well for Norwalk attracting good candidates. And of course, the teacher's union suit against the BOE just adds a whole new dimension to it.
Here's an idea…why don't the BOE members just give up their day jobs and take over as the administration for the District? They are already doing such a fine job. Just ask the parents or the NFT.
I couldn't agree with you more, Norwalk Coach. From what others have said, Jimenez and Murray were both on the Board that approved Corda. People might do well to remember that fact come Election Day. Ya reap what ya sow, or in other words, what goes around, comes around.
I also am given to understand that preceding Superintendent of Schools was no bundle of joy either, but personally, the BOE wasn't on my radar back then, so I can't say yea or nay.
From what I have heard of the various discussions, the former system was that the candidates for positions were interviewed and the Superintendent would choose the finalist and recommend that the Board confirm the appointment. That would allow cronyism, as a matter of fact, it would almost promote it. Now things have changed and the Board apparently controls the interview process much more tightly and they are flexing their muscles for a show of force, like they did with the appointment of Karen Ocaski (sp?) as the Nathan Hale principal. However, that particular skirmish was not to the Board's advantage, as virtually every Nathan Hale parent and assorted relatives turned out to make their point that the staff, the students and the parents wanted Ms. Ocaski for the job. The selection of Mr. Mecca for Norwalk High principal went much smoother for them and they used a third party search firm for that.
It's sure is gonna be a couple of interesting months til the election. Pass the popcorn, would ya?
NwlkSpectator, it may be a grueling process but when one considers some of the antics of a number of the administrators the board has hired, it begs the questions: Are they asking the right questions? Do they know the answers that good candidates would give?
There is so little about this board that instills confidence in me. Vote out all incumbent candidates this fall.
Would Ralph Sloan come back if we begged?
Anybody that supported the principal of West Rocks Middle School for ten years despite hundreds of people having left the school does not qualify as being called “not a bad guy”. Hundreds of professionals were either fired, nonrenewed, transferred to another school, forced to resign or retired early from that school. Lawsuits galore. The lady was forced out of every position she had held in half a dozen states. I hope we do a background check on the next Superintendent and stop hiring lemons that other districts don’t want.
But there’s no problems at West Rocks. Despite ranking the top school in Norwalk for turnover rates since 1999. I read that one year the school had more teachers turnovers than half of all Norwalk schools combined. A disgrace that she is still employed.
The incumbent democraps who championed Corda must be voted OUT next month.
T minus 23 days and counting…..
Let’s not forget that Murray and Jimenez gave us Corda, Murray and Mosby gave us Dadonna (over McCain) and the three of them haven’t done anything to start the process for hiring a new superintendent. Election day can’t come fast enough
T-minus 20 days and counting.