Superintendent Searches: Ann Arbor Chooses a Superintendent and it's Transparent

Update on the superintendent search in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The March 9, 2010 edition of the Ann Arbor Chronicle recounts the process the Ann Arbor Board of Trustees went through to choose the new superintendent of that school district.  Reporter Eric Anderson described the process, including the discussion, straw votes, and final decision.  For the full story go here.

The decision to enter into negotiations with Green was made after the board held second interviews with Green and Michael Muñoz last Saturday morning, which followed a community forum the night before. At the forum, held at Pioneer High School, both candidates answered questions submitted by many of the roughly 100 members of the public who attended. Several board members also attended the forum.

The board selected Green after lengthy deliberations, which included reports on reference calls, an extensive discussion of candidates’ strengths and weaknesses and a number of straw polls displaying support for both candidates.

The fact that straw votes by trustees at one point had five of the seven supporting Muñoz – before the board eventually decided on Green – indicated that the board’s consensus was reached only with a great deal of effort. Board members frequently expressed their satisfaction with both candidates.

“We have two excellent candidates,” board president Deb Mexicotte said. “This is good for the outcome but tough for making the decision.”

Other board members agreed, frequently prefacing their statements of support for one candidate by allowing that, ultimately, they would be fine with either choice.This report describes how the board’s discussion on Saturday unfolded.

Initial Straw Poll: Green 4, Muñoz 3
Trustees began deliberations by taking a straw poll to see where the board stood, an unofficial process Mexicotte felt would “take the board’s temperature.” The poll was taken by having trustees write their choice on a piece of paper, collecting the votes and tallying the results.

Will we ever see an open process at the Montgomery County Board of Education? Don't bet on it.