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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 > May > 12
Monday, May 12, 2008
The superintendent shuffle
On Friday I spoke with Dayton Superintendent Percy Mack about his experience interviewing last week in Columbia, S.C. The bottom line was that Mack didn’t see anything during his visit to discourage him and he is still in the running.
Mack said he had an enjoyable trip. He said he was impressed by the district, by the seriousness of the school board and especially by the the thoughtful questions and good attitude of the regular folks who came to a meet-and-greet with the three finalists. And he continued to find much in common between Dayton and Columbia schools.
Handicapping Mack’s chances is a tricky game, as we learned last year when he appeared to be the top candidate in Mobile, Ala., but then was not among the final two choices. The Columbia school board has a big budget hearing Tuesday, after which they are expected to get serious about choosing among the three superintendent candidates. We may hear something by the end of the week.
In Sunday’s DDN, the editorial board weighed in on the recent consultant’s report on Dayton schools and noted how Mack’s flirtation with Columbia might affect the chances of an expected fall levy campaign.
The editorial notes that the timing of a levy in November — even if it is a smaller one this time around — is not ideal for the district. The economy is probably going to be even worse this time than last year, for instance.
And if Mack departs, the district will have to make its case to voters without its most visible and most trusted voice. Who might be leading the charge for the levy? Well, the good money is on Deputy Superintendent Debra Brathwaite to quickly replace Mack if he departs. But Brathwaite is not sitting still. She has been interviewing for superintendent jobs for more than a year and an eagle-eyed GOTB reader noticed that Brathwaite interviewed last week for superintendent of Princeton schools near Cincinnati. (Note: Princeton has an interesting list of seven finalists that includes Douglas Lantz of Franklin and Valerie Browning from Greenview.) We also know Treasurer Stan Lucas — another key figure when it comes to winning public trust — applied a few months back at Lakota.
But for now, let’s suppose Mack and Brathwaite were to leave this summer. Who would be the face of the district come levy time? An interim superintendent? (There is not an obvious internal candidate after Brathwaite.) Or would the board conduct a superintendent search while launching a levy campaign at the same time?
Those are not great options.
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