Choosing The Right Superintendent

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Nationally, the average tenure of big city school superintendents is now three and a half years, reports the latest Philadelphia Public School Notebook, in which players in the city's education scene comment on our challenges.

The last three Philadelphia superintendents - David Hornbeck, Paul Vallas and Arlene Ackerman - left in controversy and disappointment despite coming with established plans and agendas.

Pedro Ramos, chair of the School Reform Commission, believes that the "top-down" model is not what we need. Instead, a new leader has to "have a track record of attracting, motivating and empowering good people."

Shelly Yanoff, executive director of Public Citizens for Children and Youth, asserts that a new leader must think that principals are our most important people and parent Gerald Wright, active in Parents United for Public Education wants someone who's part of the community.

Union leader Jerry Jordan cautioned against hiring someone determined to eliminate much of what's in place.

Read the article and stay tuned….