If you're planning to attend Wednesday's panel interviews with the three finalists for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools superintendent, here's a bit more about what to expect, courtesy of a panelist.
The panelist list is as follows:
Panel 1, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (parish hall) 115 W. Seventh Street: Pam Grundy, Judy Kidd, Kojo Nantambu and Guatam Desai.
Panel 2, Government Center Chamber, 600 E. Fourth Street: Randolph Frierson, Bill Russell, Bolyn McClung and Howard Haworth.
Panel 3, Francis Auditorium, Main Library, 310 N. Tryon Street: Rena Blake, Tripp Roakes, Ray Eschert and Daniel Freeman.
Finalists Kriner Cash, Ann Clark and Heath Morrison will rotate through all three locations, with sessions at 1-2:15 p.m.; 2:45-4 p.m., and 4:30-5:45 p.m. Update: CMS has now posted a list of who will be where at what time.
I recognize several of the names, but not all. Kidd is president of the Classroom Teachers Association and Frierson of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Association of Educators. Grundy is a leader of Mecklenburg ACTS and Nantambu is president of the local NAACP branch. McClung, from Pineville, got interested in CMS after volunteering for a construction/renovation advisory panel and attends virtually all board meetings. Haworth is a former N.C. Board of Education chair who follows CMS closely. Roakes, publisher of the South Charlotte Sports Report, was involved in raising money to save middle school sports.
Here's what CMS spokeswoman LaTarzja Henry's letter to the panelists says about the format: "Please send us two or three questions you think are important by 5 p.m. on Tuesday. We’ll go through each one, as well as the questions we’ve solicited from the public through email and social media, and draw up a list. Each panelist will be given the list of questions before the panel begins. You may also receive extra questions from the audience at the panel discussion, which we will review and give to you as the discussion is under way."
Board Chairman Ericka Ellis-Stewart says all board members had a chance to appoint panelists. She said officials are still working on how to organize the questions.
I'm not seeing a lot of Twitter questions using #CMSSuptSearch, but a tweeter called NancyClare Morgan submitted these:
*How will you harness the parental passion going into new charter schools and bring that energy and commitment back into CMS?
*What do you see in the future for Charlotte's magnet schools?
*To the candidates from Memphis and Reno, what assurances can you give that CMS role would be more than a 3-4 year job?
And from the student group GenerationNation: What role would students play in CMS policy and decision making?
I'll post more as I get it. I'm also hoping to get the list for the invitation-only lunch with the finalists on Thursday.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Who's on superintendent panels?
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49 comments:
Wow, I'm pretty sure we know where the comments at St. Peter's will be going. Does not look like a very balanced panel there.
My bet is St. Peters ( thats not a pun to St, Peter Gorman I hope) dialogue goes straight to Mr. Kriner Cash. Hand picked for KOJO himself what a way to make him feel good. Ask this guy the tough question why is Memphis chasing you out what happened? We dont want to be doing this again in 3 years.
Cash is irrelevant; never was a serious candidate.
Pam: please don't let your man sell the system out for his 30 pieces of silver to pay for busing!!
I hope the CMS board will use some sense and bypass Heath Morrison. Changing the calculation or accounting method to determine the number of dropouts is not the same as claiming all of a sudden the graduation rate "went up" under his watch. Kids didn't all of a sudden get serious because of miracle worker Morrison. Here is an article about it:
http://www.rgj.com/article/20120410/NEWS20/304100003/Fact-Checker-Did-Washoe-s-grad-rate-really-jump-14-points-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
I am skeptical the board will do the right thing and reject him. He is a flashy speaker who doesn't really say anything or even know what he is talking about, but I am afraid the "national superintendent of the year" award will toss common sense out the window. You never know how a hiring board will act.
This panel I mean really folks most of them are paid for by special interest groups. Only one they forgot was Bill Anderson he must be out of town with Gorman ! Judy Kidd is the only one with much sense of what a good candidate looks like anyhow. Question is will BOE listen and kick the outsiders to the curb?
Heath Morrison = Re-Pete
Fool me once, shame on me; Fool me twice...
I don't care for how CMS is "screening" the questions ahead of time. Welcome to world of being a CMS Supt. You're going to have to think "on the fly." Let's not let the Candidates see the questions ahead of time!
If the Board TRULY wants the public's opinion on the three finalists, then let the public ASK their questions... not what CMS THINKS the public should be asking...
I agree with Christine. A few pre-selected questions would be fine and allows each candidate an equal opportunity to put their best foot forward, but fully pre-screening sets a bad precedent.
Ann - I've added a number of questions on the hashtag on Twitter but am not all that surprised at the lack of questions (more people are re-tweeting the notice to submit questions than actually asking questions).
Will be a touchy-feely round-robin with the usual suspects.
As with the three candidates, nothing new here.
Alright suburban parents, you see where this is going to go. Panel 1 takes us right back to the 1960's. Only this time they are getting their way to drain you of your harder earned money in this toughening economy.
Get that 3 or 4th job and get your kids out of CMS. Swallow your loss on your house and get out of the county.
St. Peter's panel, what a joke!
We need people in there who will talk about education, not how to make the schools an even bigger social services system.
11:28 Judy will talk about education. She certainly does NOT want a bigger social services system! Just because she is there in no way means she has anything to do with the other panelists.
Just give it to the black guy.
And run for the border...
If they choose Mr. Cash I am taking mine right on down to Fort Mill , S.C. to live with the Chiquita folks. I estimate CMS would lose another 5-10% of its students to the private school sector if the wrong candidate is hired. Further reducing our GPA as a district by another 5-8% year over year. Negative news for the negative crew on the BOE. Leader Ericka most likely has spoon fed Kiner Cash the questions pre-meeting via Kojo. GOB network at play.
Re: 9:43 a.m.
Appears that someone ate a little too much Easter chocolate.
Unfortunately the composition of these panels is a lot like that of the CMS Board of Education.
Most of these panelists are advocates for the employees of CMS first, and advocates for the students second.
The Wednesday evening public forum will also have designated panelists. They will help CMS come up with questions too and maybe take some from audience.
Pam:
Nope, not easter candy, just the last temptation.
Remember: with Morrison comes busing AND testing. Hope you weren't told differently. No steps forward, two steps back...
1:17 pm
Where in god's name did you get the impression that the BOE is for employees OR students?????
These "panelists" will be asking questions that have been provided and/or screened by Erica Ellis Stewart, they are not asking their own questions or able to ask another question at these forums.
Is this just to give the appearance of "community" involvement?
Also, don't think all BOE members have a panelist.
Correct the panelists were picked by the BOE as endorsers and "friends" of CMS. Another words seem concerned , but stick to the script. After that you will receive a Morton's gift certificate from Bobby Morgan and the Chamber crew. Be a good boy and run on now. Judy Kidd is the only one who would rip up the certificate and send it back too them. She is concerned about education and certainly not in the way KOJO is.
Each district rep got to name one panelist and each at-large member got to name two. Everyone should be represented.
Where's the advocate for the taxpayers?
Line up and affliations-
Grundy- Bitter one way hers
Kidd- Most reputable one of all knowledge !
Kojo- Black leader will picket if he does not get his way. Racists !
Desai- No idea who this person is never heard of in Charlotte.
Frierson- Racists Kojo Brother will cry if Cash is not the man.
Russell- Never heard of this person not knowledgable on CMS.
McClung- Very unknowledgable Morgans Buddy if its not his idea it is incorrect. Small towner from Pineville.
Haworth- State retired leader may have some knowledge. Should help us lobby for state funds its needed.
Blake-Never heard of this person
Roakes- Local parent from South Charlotte passionate about middle school sports. Lacks knowledge of education no background.
Eschert- Chamber ties exactly what we dont need.
Freeman- Business connections via chamber another one with no knowledge just a smiling face for Chamber.
That the line up folks besides Kidd their is a complete lack of local knowledge and fight for what is right for the students and tax payers. SLice it Dice it however you want its another dog and pony show by CMS with no results to be driven.
Bill Russell, Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce
You've heard of the Lake Norman area waaaay up north here, right? We're part of Mecklenburg County, too.
Ray Eschert--the "mayor" of Ballantyne area. Has organized Ballantyne Breakfast Club (meets once a month to discuss civic issues) for many years. Valuable and knowledgeable representative for those of us waaaaaay down here in far south Charlotte. We're also part of the county (and the city as well), although some suspect that the city and county are only interested in our tax dollars. A couple of folks on the panels (see St. Peter's) have great disdain for our part of the county.
Agree, Bill is representing the North with no knowledge of CHarlotte. Ray as well is the "mayor of ballantyne" with interests only in ballantyne. If we want to re-district lets do it with north , central , south districts. These 2 individuals have never really been involved in educational reforms previously so my question is why now?
Too bad they didn't put current teachers OR a few CMS students on these panels as these are the people who this decision affects the most.
Susan, did you actually read that article? If more rigorous tracking of students had even a marginal effect on the numbers, I would be surprised, and it still would not matter. More students graduated, test scores went through the roof, and achievement gaps shrank significantly. To make all of that progress in two years while having all of his resources drained? That is pretty impressive!
Only three woman panalists?
BTW- south Charlotte isn't limited to a bunch of snotty no-it-alls associated with the Ballantyne Breakfast Club. Ballantyne is also aesthetically ugly with no character. There, I said it.
I'm thoroughly embarrassed and apalled to live in a part of town that supports sequestering itself among 3 exclusive country clubs - Ballantyne, Piper Glen and Providence. Shame on us. I will not support any plan that intends to create a new Southern city void of humanity.
Have never met a "snotty know it all" at the Ballantyne Breakfast Club. Have you ever attended? Many attendees are long time residents of the area--here long before the commercial Ballantyne was created. Others are civic minded newer residents. Meetings are once a month and cover a range of issues, schools being just one of them.
The "I hate your part of town" attitude of some on this blog is not very becoming. Any wonder why some parts of town might want to escape from that?
@6:22pm,
Agree, Bill is representing the North with no knowledge of CHarlotte.
Are you suggesting that he NEEDS knowledge of Charlotte?
Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson are part of Mecklenburg County, just as much as Charlotte. And I, for one, am tired of getting ignored.
Wow, seems like some people are forgetting it's the Charlotte-MECKLENBURG school district. Although I suppose those outside of city proper are only good for the tax money. Pay up and shut up seems the theme today.
Anon 8:50 - Now you know how the teeachers of CMS feel. PUT OUT and shut up (with a smile as we bend over). Longer hours, no compensation, cut benefits, no compensation, more days added on, no compensation. Fewer supplies, larger class sizes. Threats and more threats, and gag orders in place if we have suggestions. Always with the tart little answer, "At least You still have a job here". NOT FOR LONG!! Just as the Tax payers are ready to jump the county line... so are your most experienced IF WE don't get the right Super.
Where was the Ballantyne Breakfast Club when the issue of affordable housing in the area came up? Did this civic meeting conflict with your tee time?
Ann, are you able to match the panelist with the Board member who recommended them? Won't mean much overall but I'm curious.
Prediction is that we will be able to tell by the end of the day tomorrow who will be the next top dog.
Will the academic super have her posse with her for the panels?
Mint Hill and Matthews need to exit CMS and form their own school system. Just imagine the property values skyrocketing! And no one from anywhere else in the county can attend school there. I would pay extra taxes for that even without children in the system.
Roakes-- Kids in CMS, active in schools, helped rally support for middle school sports. Not CMS knowledge? REALLY?
Russell- Broad base of knowlege about the needs ot the Lake Norman area. May not have kids but has worked closely with CMS and connected with local and state leaders.
Come on people- is there some reason that some one who is a parent or a community leader is NOT appropriate? Really!
@11:47pm,
Rhonda picked Bill Russell.
Tell me Ballantyne Breakfast boys where were you when Timmy Morgan blew up district 6 seat on you? You supported his move to at-large you did and you deserve what you got now. A lady who is lost with a little PTA background. Nice job Southside the downtwon Chamber got yah !
Kojo--may have been nominated by Richard McElrath or, more likely Ericka as payback for election support.
Grundy--Tom Tate's buddy, supported McCray in election, appointed to defunct Equity Committee by Richard McElrath, so several possibilities.
Ann, Just curious--why were party affiliations of superintendent candidates listed in the paper? Surely our "non-partisan" board members would not need that information in order to make the best choice!
Tom Tate asked me.
Come on folks get knowledgable Ericka Ellis Stewart does not speak unless it goes thru KOJO first. He got her elected for this very reason. Welcome back busing its coming folks. So is white flight from CMS eventually the budget will dip below $1 Billion dollars with student population falling too 125,000. Buy stock in private schools now ! Welcome Heath Morrison from Reno Nevada our next leader for 3-4 years.
10:50 you have a clue, but are looking in the wrong direction. It's not ericka looking to busing, but Tate and McElrath selling their votes for busing. They will team with ED! Tim and Rhoda (and sadly Stinson who is blindly following Rhoda) to choose Re-Pete Heath Morrison. Heath will be played by the board, Tate and McElrath will be played by the little three + Stinson. We will have testing, but not busing as there is no way in the government center that the little three will follow through on their pledge once Re Pete is in place.
Remember, Morgan stated the board will find someone who is JUST LIKE THE LAST SUPERINTENDENT.
We need voices rising up in unison against this unholy bargain! Force the board to choose a candidate that is the best interests of the STUDENTS, not one that is in the best interests of the board!!
That one can only be ANN CLARK!
Yeah, I did read the article. The fact is Morrison is going around claiming he is some kind of hero for getting the graduation rates up, which is one reason he got that silly national award, but in fact it is all a matter of methodology. Had he simply told the truth that they were using a different statistical formula, he wouldn't come across as such a liar.
I hope the people of CMS will not fall the same hype the former MCS school board fell for. Cash is an opportunist. And believe me he did not part the water and walk the waves in Memphis. What he did do is bring in a lot of arrogant outsiders in who made a fist full of dollars and are doing just what is is trying to do RUN. Can you imagine a supertendent making more than the mayor? Or even better a school police officer making more than than the city cheif of police or evn better more than the school police director of Los Angeles City schools? THe only reason why Cash is applying in Charlotte is because the handwriting is on the wall in Memphis. We are tired of being raped by fleeing bandits. Cash's strong suit is PR. And most people srong in PR "speak with forked tongue"
A MCS teacher and tax paying citizen
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