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E-mail Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2008 > May > 19 > Entry
Brathwaite: I might be interested if they are
Debra Brathwaite
I just spoke to Dayton’s Deputy Superintendent Debra Brathwaite and let me start by correcting an earlier blog post. Brathwaite is NOT a candidate for superintendent at Cincinnati Public Schools. I misunderstood some information I received Saturday.
Brathwaite IS one of three finalists at Princeton schools near Cincinnati, where she will have a second interview tonight. And that has put her in something of a weird position when it comes to questions about her interest in the Dayton superintendent job because she is pretty far down the line in the process with Princeton.
Brathwaite told me she intends to follow that process to its conclusion and so far has not been contacted by the Dayton school board about applying for the job Percy Mack will soon vacate. As a result, it was tough for her to answer the big question — does she want the Dayton job?
“I didnt know the superintendent would be leaving,” she said. “I’m going through with my process. Nothing has been advertised. It just happened. I don’t know what is going to happen next.”
I asked her if she had thought about what she might do if she were offered both jobs. She said she was not predisposed one way or the other.
“Of course I would explore where I am if given the opportunity,” she said. “But all of this just happened. Everyone was caught a little off guard.”
Brathwaite said it is no secret that she is interested in becoming a superintendent. She had previously interviewed in Lorain, Toledo and Akron.
“I encourage students to progress in their academic careers and I have to do the same thing,” she said. “I am a lifelong learner and I like a challenge and I am ready to assume that position.”
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Dayton Public Schools
Comments
By Avoice
May 20, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Hey thanks Oldprof for the Video Professor lesson. Could you be one in the same? (You have been rather touchy lately about spelling from other posters too.) You love to pontificate about all things and I will always consult you first before posting any response. I always thought that blogging was a way to quickly exchanges ideas and opinions on a select topic? Glad to see that you are still thinking about kids and our school leaders rather than being petty. Actually my mind was plenty clear to realize that your writings on DPS issues were from someone who always speaks second or third hand via a former board member, rather than actually working with students. Rather similar behavior to Debra and Percy, don’t you think? By the way, anyone with common sense knew that both of these two were trying to get out as fast as possible. More proof exists everyday
By Eve
May 20, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this
I don’t think DPS needs someone who “might” be interested in serving as superintendent. How about the other two finalists for the Columbia SC job? At first glance, their bios seemed worth looking at.
By Mary
May 20, 2008 6:28 AM | Link to this
Avoice, when you make as much money as the superintendents, maybe managing your personal finances and belongings becomes your job, not leading the school district. You are expected to look a certain way, drive a certain car, live in a certain house, and look for another job with an even higher salary. Who has time for work? That is too much multi-tasking. The American style of leadership is an expensive “empty suit”.
By null
May 19, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
This I just have to say and I hope Deb Brathwaite is following this blog. As a superintendent you have to get along with people, lots of people. This includes the whites, the blacks and the religious community in town. Unfortunately, you have not put forth the effort to do this. Many DPS employees that you have had contact with are less than enthusiastic about their encounters with you. It would go a long way if you were to put a pleasant smile on your face and treat others kindly as if you care about them. Being a super is not a popularity contest, I realize that, but you may have the hard skills to carry out the job, but without the soft skills required to get along with others your hard skills are meaningless. Furthermore, on a last note…you have interviewed other places in Ohio and been turned down, for a variety of reasons I am sure; however, word travels around the state and in at least one district word has it that you were rude and unpleasant during the interview. This is just food for thought…do with it what you will.
By null
May 19, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
I have to say that kind of response doesn’t give me much hope. To me, the I will if they will kind of thing is juvenile and shows you don’t have a commitment to the system. So just move on and lets find someone who will care enough to want to try, even if the school doesn’t come begging.
By Oldprof
May 19, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Avoice, are you able to clear your mind and think straight? Until he accepted the job offer, Percy Mack HIMSELF did not know he was leaving. When Dr. Brathwaite applied to Princeton, she certainly couldn’t predict this future. And BTW, if you’ll save your word-processor files in .txt or .rtf format, then when you copy-and-paste them here, they won’t have � control figures all over and you won’t look like someone who doesn’t know how to use computers very well.
By Avoice
May 19, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
Do you really believe the response �I did not know he was leaving?� What kind of communication do these two have? She is second in command, his right hand. She did not know that her boss was leaving? �I might be interested if they are?� This is the kind of visionary leadership that Baldrige talks so firmly about? The board ought to PDSA this process! Do you want this person in charge of your school system? They have no contingency plans for him leaving? What a mess. It is no wonder why this district is in such poor shape if this is an example of their communication skills within this department. I assume she read the newspaper and watches local news. She did not know that Percy was leaving? How many interviews has this guy had in the last month or two? She is a lifelong learner? If that is true, she is not much for current events or cooperative learning with her peers or her boss. Good grief people, let�s get them off the bus before it crashes and the insurance company calls it a total loss.