Picking a New Superintendent [2]

As mentioned earlier on this blog, the current superintendent’s contract will expire in June 2011. The absence of transparency on the part of the Montgomery County, Maryland Board of Education could play a significant role in the process of choosing our new superintendent and the direction of our once-renowned school system.


Here is some history of the Board’s track record.

In 1999 the Board identified Dr. Elfreda W. Massie, who had been Deputy Superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools, as the finalist for the superintendent position. Board members at that time were Reginald Felton, President, Patricia O’Neill, Vice President, Steve Abrams, Kermit Burnett, Beatrice Gordon, Nancy King, Mona Signer, and Geonard Butler, Jr., the student member.

Ms. O’Neill is the current BOE President.

How did they choose Dr. Massie? With taxpayer dollars, they hired the executive search firm, Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates (HYA), who recommended her. Sadly Dr. Massie was found to have financial difficulties which were not identified because HYA had not conducted a background check on her personal finances.

Taxpayers this time around should demand that the superintendent process is open and democratic; and that it addresses the desires of the community, not the desires of the few, those at the secret ‘table.’ The taxpayers should not pay for the banquet and then be left with the crumbs. Restoring our public school system to the ‘world class’ system it once was will be difficult. Focusing on Education, teachers, and our community of scholars instead of on high-tech gadgets and million-dollar toys will require a shift in focus. It is not impossible, but it will take sustained pressure on the part of taxpayers.