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Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2008 > February > 12
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Braithwaite in the final three in Akron
Debra Brathwaite
The Akron Beacon Journal is reporting that Dayton Deputy Superintendent Debra Brathwaite is one of three finalists for superintendent in Akron.
I just spoke to Brathwaite, who confirms she has been called back for a second interview along with two others — Joseph Redden, a former superintendent from suburban Atlanta, and David James, Akron schools’ director of business affairs.
Brathwaite was was a candidate for superintendent in Toledo and in Lorain last year but pulled out of both searches.
She said her doctorate in education is nearly complete (she hopes to be done by June) and it has long been her goal to be a superintendent.
“Its a natural progression in my career,” she said. “It is a great opportunity in Akron. I am ready to be a superintendent.”
Braithwaite said her five years in Dayton have been good but that she is looking around because Superintendent Percy Mack, she believes, is not going anywhere anytime soon. Mack was finalist for superintendent in Mobile, Ala., in September but has insisted since then that he is not job hunting.
Brathwaite’s chances look as good as anyone else under consideration. James is well liked in the district but has no background in academics. Redden, a former Air Force general, was superintendent in Cobb County, Ga., from 2000 to 2005 but was forced out after the school board revolted over his plan to use sales tax money to buy every teacher and student in grades 6 to 12 an Apple laptop.
Brathwaite came from Cleveland to become Mack’s top lieutenant and has led the district’s day-to-day operations for instructional programs. She went to Cleveland in 1997 to work with then-Superintendent Barbara Byrd Bennett, a former colleague in the New York City public school system.
Akron is significantly larger than Dayton, with 25,985 students to Dayton’s 16,206.
Permalink | Comments (15) | Categories: Dayton Public Schools
What’s a state ed board member’s job?
Susan Haverkos
I was talking with Susan Haverkos yesterday about the debate over the future of the Ohio Board of Education and her comments in Sunday’s paper on the matter.
Haverkos wanted to make a couple things she said clearer. First, she said she disagrees with Gov. Ted Strickland on many issues, including his plan to change the role of Ohio Board of Education. She is in no way allied with the governor. Second, she said she takes her duties on the state board very seriously.
In the story I wrote for Sunday’s paper, she said she felt the state board of education posts should be full-time, paid positions so state board members could be more effective. And she responded to a comment here at GOTB that asked if her statements in the paper suggested she was not attending to all the state board business that her post requires.
Her answer to that critic gives you a good sense of what state board of education members do. Here’s what she said:
“Concerning my comments about attendance at hearings (meetings). Some background. The Board of Education sends legislative recommendations to the legislators. Some of those recommendations are then introduced in bills.
We (Ohio Department of Education) send our legislative department personnel to cover testimony, answer questions and speak on behalf of the board. My comments were simply that I personally would like to attend and hear first-hand discussions about bills — a bill that may become a law — that would eventually require our board to write rules and policy.
I have testified before the House on several issues. I cannot speak for the board, but I can express my personal opinion. I am not paid for my travel time or any time I am in Columbus to advocate for education issues. I think it is important for the legislature to see board members in these hearings. I think it is important to have two-way communications with the lawmakers.
I get paid for approximately 16-30 hours per month for attending board meetings (or subcommittee meetings). Each month we receive “board books,” consisting of 5 volumes, 600 to 700 pages. We receive them approximately 1 week before our board meeting, it takes on average 15+ hours to read, make notes, research the issues we will be discussing and vote on (there hours are not paid) . I spend and additional 10 to 20 hours a week on state business (answering questions, reading department mail) that also is not paid.
When you testify or listen to testimony in hearings it consumes most of the day — four hours travel and two to four hours of hearings. All of this takes place during the day, when most people have to work. Most people who attend hearings are paid lobbyists. The “public” is usually not represented.
Not many people can ask for 5 to 10 days off work per month without pay. My previous comments were not complaints, just a wish. If I could somehow squeeze more time, more days into each month I could be more effective. Unfortunately I don’t have a maid, a chef, a gardener or a personal secretary. I have a real life. I never thought there would be someone out there who would turn what I said into an attack. Get real.
We can’t wait for someone else to fix the problems. We need to be actively engaged in becoming part of the solution, not just complaining that “they” haven’t done enough yet. If readers have concerns about education in Ohio I would like to hear them, what works, what doesn’t and how we can make it better. My email is susan.haverkos@ode.state.oh.us.
One more thing. I didn’t have tons of donations to run my campaign — no support from the unions or political parties. I had just a few friends and a lot of hard work, like attending a pig roast in Darke County or passing out homemade cards at township festivals. Grassroots work, no gimmicks. Sorry that offends some of your readers.”
Permalink | Comments (13) | Categories: Schools and Politics
