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Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
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Sunday, May 18, 2008
The big question: Inside or outside
In South Carolina, the State newspaper tells the folks down there about Percy Mack. But back here in Dayton, DDN editorial page editor Ellen Blecher proposes the school board take its time and says Mack’s departure is an opportunity to rally the community around the schools. Done well, she says, this could build a case for a fall levy.
The choice is shaping up like this — move fast and go internal for Mack’s replacement or move slow and go outside. Deputy Superintendent Debra Brathwaite is the strongest internal candidate, but it appears she is going to have other options. There could be other inside choices for interim superintendent if Brathwaite goes elsewhere, but her departure would seem to assure a full-blown search.
Here are some pros and cons of the two possible routes.
An internal choice wouldn’t have any learning curve. And in the case of Brathwaite, she’s basically been groomed for the position. Brathwaite runs the day-to-day academic side operations for DPS and just finished her doctorate.
But an external candidate would bring a fresh pair of eyes to the district’s management and would be unburdened by conventional wisdom and existing loyalties. It might take someone from the outside some time to get his or her bearings, though.
Let’s not forget that the November levy is a high stakes affair, with huge ramifications for the district’s long term financial and educational prospects. Would either route be an advantage in the fall election? That’s hard to say. It probably depends entirely on who the selected superintendent is and how he or she play the politics of the campaign.
If you were on the board, which way would you lean? Internal or external? Would you want to move fast or go more slowly?
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