Superintendent search data not representative of majority opinion

Vallejo school trustees scrutinize survey for superintendent search



By Lanz Christian Bañes / Times-Herald
Posted: 11/12/2010 06:37:40 AM PST

The next Vallejo superintendent should focus on improving student learning, reestablish trust and possess strong communication skills.

Those are necessary traits outlined by a superintendent search firm that presented a "leadership profile report" Wednesday to the Vallejo City Unified School District board.

The report, however, was criticized by several board members who questioned its validity, including concerns that only one student was interviewed in a survey.

Carolyn McKennan, a consultant with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates Ltd., said the firm spent the last month or so interviewing and surveying faculty, administrators, board members, parents and one student about what they'd like to see in the next superintendent.
Interim Superintendent Floyd Gonella has been heading the district since former Superintendent Reynaldo Santa Cruz retired in June.

Board member Hazel Wilson expressed shock that only about 160 people were interviewed or surveyed.

"I'm concerned with (the report's) validity," Wilson said. "I don't want us putting an unnecessary amount of weight ... on something such as the statement concerning instructional (improvement)."

She was referring to a report section that ranked the superintendent's skills in instructional improvement as a low priority for focus groups.
Indeed, the report itself stated that "it should be emphasized that the data are not a scientific sampling, nor should they necessarily viewed as representing the majority opinion."
Board member Raymond Victor Mommsen agreed.
"I'm shocked there's only one student," Mommsen said.
McKennan acknowledged the low numbers in the data, but suggested the viewpoints were indicative of those particular groups rather than the majority of respondents.

Tish Busselle, speaking on behalf of state administrator Richard Damelio, suggested the relationship between the superintendent and the state administrator be downplayed in the criteria, as the district hopes to regain full control within a year. Since a 2004 state takeover of the district, following a $60 million loan, all but financial control has been restored to the board.

Contact staff writer Lanz Christian Bañes at (707) 553-6833 or lbanes @timesheraldonline.com.