Most school systems have little time and few resources to plan beyond the day to day needs of their students. Recruiting and selecting a new school superintendent, as the Kent County Board of Education is now doing, presents a nearly unique opportunity to develop longer range plans to improve the quality of education for every child. Many school systems do not take advantage of this opportunity. They contract with a search firm or an individual consultant and follow a closed process of selection with little or no parent, teacher, or community involvement. Broad questions of how to increase student and school performance, how to maximize use of limited resources, and how to form and strengthen
community partnerships are seldom addressed.
As a former elected school board member in another Maryland County, I can attest to the value of using the superintendent search process to initiate an extensive process of school reform and improvement. This process can stimulate innovation and the engagement of citizens and tax payers who otherwise might pay little attention to a system where they have no personal involvement. The county had some similarities to Kent County. It was traditionally rural and most of its land was agricultural. It had a small, urban community with a more liberal outlook than its more conservative neighbors elsewhere in the county. It had a long serving school superintendent who was retiring. There were also important
differences. The county had a growing and not stagnant economy and it did not have a high quality Institution of higher education in its midst. The national search resulted in the selection of a school superintendent who remained in place for 16 years. But more importantly, it stimulated a process of school and community involvement that brought the school system to a much higher level of
performance.
Kent County Schools face many unique and difficult issues, but it has a special opportunity to initiate a process of school improvement. It should not let this opportunity pass it by.
Stan Salett is a former Vice Chairman of the Howard County Board of Education and the former Assistant Commissioner of Education for the State of New Jersey. He lives part of the year in Kent County.
Bob Kramer says
Maybe the concerned citizens were disguised as empty chairs at the Chestertown (there were 12 of us including a two year old) and Galena (there 6) ‘public’ meetings with the search consultants. There were no town officials at either meeting, but at least William Pickrum and Billy Short represented the County Commissioners respectively.
But, yes, Stan, we do have a unique opportunity to change the direction of our public school system. The good news about the low attendance at these meetings… at least all the comments were meaningful… and hopefully contributed to the end result. And the consultants got introduced to… the Tyranny of Low Expectations!
I would like to give a shout out to Dick Goodall, Mitchell Reiss and Jim Ross for holding work hour sessions at their establishments… Dixon Valve, WAC and the Hospital.
Mailman Jack says
Is it possible that the low turnout could be attributed to the time of the meeting? Three thirty in the afternoon is a prime time for most people to be at work. Also it was on a day when school was not is session, so add childcare to the mix. It seem that part of the problem is not understanding the demographic of the stakeholders.
That aside, the rotating door at the top of the school system needs to be addressed. The dysfunction between the superintendent and the board over the last few years has been disturbing to watch; it rarely seemed they were (or are) on the same page. If there is going to be change, it needs to be wholesale, not piecemeal, but most change here happens at a glacial speed. A a small county, Kent should be able to do things quickly and efficiently. Including change. If the status quo is not working change direction. It could be a model system, not a bottom dweller.
Instead of pointing fingers of blame about who is responsible for the state of the school system, or in other words “covering one’s backside”, everyone needs to become an advocate for the students of the county.
Editor says
Anonymous comment approved by editor
Bob Kramer says
The public meetings were held at 6:00 PM.
Note: the public will be part of the interview and selection process also.
Mailman Jack says
As they were with Mr. Pack. He broke or was released from his contract. That worked out well. It’s not the public input that will be lacking; think about the redistricting fiasco. Everyone had and gave an opinion, just be transparent and more inclusive if possible. Here they are a few years later, looking at the same problems, or still kicking them down the road. Not what elected officials are supposed to do.
Bob Kramer says
Mailman Jack… any suggestions on how to fix these problems?
Mailman Jack says
Start with term limits on the Board of Ed. Not finger pointing, but new people mean new ideas. Perhaps the board members should be tasked to be responsible for managing certain aspects of the school system individually; places where they have knowledge. Having concern citizens is great, but expertise is what is needed.
A top to bottom audit of what money is spent on. If the dollars are going to always be tight, there can be little or no waste. Maybe an ombudsman type of position for that.
Fletcher R. Hall says
There are some good points in both of the above.
Regarding ghe lack of participation in the sessions with the consultants I would offer two thoughts: One, folks are suspect of “consultants” and not sure what role the play in the Superintendent selecton process. Two, There needs to be more publicity given to the importance of this process and make it a more open process. Three, the idea to have sessions at the three largest county employers is a good one. But, include some mall business persons who have needs based on the education system and available local labor pool.
Perhaps the finalists should be invited to meet with community thought leaders and key coprporate citizens.
In the choice of a superintendent, thinking out side of the box and providing the best input possible to the Board of Education is most important. The Board is the decison making body and will have many factors and issues to include in what should be an informed decision. No behind closed doora decisions
It might not be a bad idea to look for a CEO of the School System, rather that the cookie cutter educational mold of a superintendent looking to retire in a small school system How about considering somewhat with excellent managemen, political, promotional and people skills. Leave it up to the instructional staff to oversee the education programs. This has been done.
Again, think outside the box.
Of all the positions that are or will be undergoing change in the coming year, the choice of a person to head the school system is critical.
The school system need not flounder and fail. The students will learn with the appropriate educational offerings and leadership. Just throwing money and the same old philosphies at the education system will not improve nor stimulate it.
Fletcher R. Hall
Chestertown
Steve Cades says
Fletcher–
The CEO model, whether or not a good thing, is not an option in Maryland. (See for the Maryland Department of Education requirements for superintendents of schools.) I’d suggest that the “thinking outside the box” we need to do is about the reasons why, per the recently published on school system performance, Kent County’s schools are failing. Mr. Sallet’s comments are a good place to start.
Steve Cades
Kennedyville
Joe Diamond says
Here ya go!
Maryland Superintendent License Information…….From the Code of Maryland Regulations………………….13A.12.04.03.03 Superintendents.
The requirements for certification as a superintendent, deputy superintendent, associate superintendent, assistant superintendent or equivalent position are that the applicant shall:
A. Meet the requirements for certification in early childhood education, elementary education or a secondary education area;
B. Have a master’s degree from an accredited institution;
C. Have 3 years of successful teaching experience and 2 years of administrative or supervisory experience; and
D. Have successfully completed a 2-year program with graduate courses in administration and supervision in an institution or
institutions approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the State Superintendent of Schools. Graduate work under §B may be
applied toward the requirements of this section, provided that a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate work is presented.
========== ============ ============ ============
Joe
Joe Diamond says
I have a question for the author of the above Op-Ed, Mr. Stan Salett.
Mr. Salett, based upon your experiences both here and with other school systems you have encountered, would there be any benefit to examining the consolidation of the Kent County Public Schools with the system operated by Queen Anne’s County?
Or to ask the question the other way, is there any reason not to consider consolidation at this time of transition?
Thank you,
Joe
Stan Salett says
Joe,
Thanks for your question.
I assume that the consolidation of two Maryland County School Districts could not take place without a decision by the State Board of Education provided that both school districts made such a request. The State Board then would have to determine that such a merger was in the best interests of all concerned, since the State Board of Education has general control and supervision over public schools and the educational interests of the State. As recently reported in the Chestertown Spy, both Queen Anne’s County and Kent County are having difficulty paying their share of matching State funding (maintenance of effort), which may reduce the monies that the State can commit. I further assume that any consolidation would have to demonstrate increased benefits and reduced costs, or at the least not substantially increased costs, for both districts. I think that such a case would be difficult to make in our current economy. A more practical step might be to encourage discussions between these two neighboring districts on ways that they can increase mutually beneficial cooperation with current school district boundaries intact. This might be a good question to ask Kent County school superintendent candidates.
Stan Salett
Joe Diamond says
Thank you,
I would assume any consolidation would save money but that would have to be studied. Overhead could be shared. Central purchasing for both counties and building maintenance costs, hiring & management costs would be halved as would administrative costs. Perhaps the efficiencies could go towards effective staffing.
I am unaware each county does anything but verify the addresses of their students. There has to be some duplication of effort and unused capacity to be wrung from the parallel systems. I can even see a time when high school students do much more at home over the internet at their own pace. I was never able to find anything in the education literature about learning taking place in the most effectiv manner when students sit in factory like buildings while a single teacher guides instruction from the fron of a classroom.
Looking ahead,
Joe
Lisa Moose says
After reading all of the above letters I have not heard to much about what was educationally best for the students that attend our schools . You have all spoke about the cost . This isn’t just about costs it should most importantly be about education . With such a small community we should be making sure that when our students graduate from KCHS that they are ready for college . I have a student that will graduate this year and I am proud to say she is graduating with honors . Our schools do have talented teachers that want to help our children however without the support from ” the Office ” this isn’t always possible. We need to find someone who CARES about the students and their needs not just about money.
Bob Kramer says
Lisa… Tuesday night, 1/29, the BOE discussed exactly what you’re talking about. Unfortunately there were only three citizens in the audience… and only one has kids in the system. The good news is that the consultants guided the BOE through the characteristics that a new Super should have… which will be the basis for the questions to be asked during the interview process.
All the comments from the citizens from last week’s public sessions were included intact to the BOE at the meeting also. So… anyone who had comments… had their comments heard by the decision makers.
Here’s the final draft of the first characteristic:
“An innovative and visionary leader who is passionate about education of all children in Kent County so that every student attains college and career readiness.”
Joe Diamond says
Lisa,
We were where you are now. Our son gained admittance to an out of state, selective admission engineering school. One of the requirements for admission was that all successful applicants be in the top third of their high school graduating class. He is a good kid and did everything asked of him. But the world we are sending our kids into has changed.
A four year college degree will not be enough education for most high school students. They are probably entering a world where they will be continually in and out of classrooms…or more likely ………..involved in small group internet instruction.
Something I noticed from the inside in local school systems = some students are really ready to move on after their junior year and even with the advanced placement courses their senior year is less than effective. Likewise other students really need to be in more appropriate settings. Social promotions and various misaligned teaching and learning styles have had there effestc and some kids need to be away from high school….diploma or not.
With all this the assumption has to be that the money saved from various educational plans has to go to sorting out the educational needs of the students..
Best wishes for you and your daughter,
Joe
Carla Massoni says
What are the teachers in the Kent County schools hoping for with the new Superintendent. All three of my children graduated from Kent County High School – Washington College provided additional educational support (at no cost to our family) for the two who needed advanced placement. They were able to earn college credits that they ultimately transferred to JHU and Connecticut College and still remain in a home setting. I was really impressed with this “out of the box” thinking. Everyone always bemoans the “let’s just throw more money at the problem” approach – but do we need to provide more funding? I know there are numerous social services available for our at risk families – but are we failing the children in our schools? If there is not support at home, what needs to be the response of the community? Thank you Stan for this posting – and thanks for the informed dialogue – much appreciated.