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Decision may come today on new chief of schools
TweetThe city school board and Academic Distress Commission interviewed five finalists for the superintendent post. Each finalist also fielded questions from the public at community forums. The finalists and some background:
Pamela Brown, Ed.D., Harvard University, interim chief academic officer, Philadelphia School District.
Christina Dinklocker, Ed.D, University of Akron, deputy superintendent, Parma City School District.
Timothy Dortch, Ph.D., University of Akron, director of student services, Kent City School District.
Connie Hathorn, Ph.D., Iowa State University, executive director of student support, Akron City School District.
Thomas Robey, M.A., The Ohio State University, superintendent, Campbell City School District.
Source: Youngstown City Schools.
By Denise Dick
By DENISE DICK
YOUNGSTOWN
City residents may know today who the next superintendent of the school district will be.
Members of the Youngstown Citizens Community Mobilization group announced Pamela Brown as their recommendation for the job at a gathering Thursday at New Bethel Baptist Church.
The committee collected feedback from attendees at the five public forums with each of the five finalists.
“She is highly qualified to provide the type of administration necessary to help Youngstown students achieve at consistently high levels,” said the Rev. Kenneth Simon of New Bethel. “Dr. Brown indicated a clear understanding of the financial and academic problems of our school district.”
Brown is interim chief academic officer at the Philadelphia School District.
“We were also favorably impressed with Dr. Connie Hathorn as a candidate and would recommend his appointment if Dr. Brown is not able to accept the position,” the Rev. Mr. Simon said.
Hathorn is the executive director of student support at Akron City Schools.
“The education and life chances of our children are at stake in this process,” Mr. Simon said. “This is our only concern. We would hope that any political and personal agendas will be set aside in favor of selecting the right person to lead the Youngstown City Schools into the future.”
Earlier this week, Anthony Catale, school board president, said a 4:30 p.m. executive session of the school board is set for today at the board offices. At 6 p.m., a public session is planned where board members may vote on their decision.
“We have given the community, all along the way, the opportunity to have significant input throughout the process, moreso than in most processes that you would see,” Catale said.
There were focus groups convened to help build a profile for the superintendent. The 25-member search committee included representatives from the business community, administrators, teachers and others, and community forums allowed members of the public to question each of the finalists, the school board president said.
“There was a lot of opportunity for the community to be represented in this process,” he said.
The recommendation of the mobilization group will be considered in the board’s decision, Catale said.
“As a board we have a very important decision,” he said. “The most important decision that we as board members will ever have to make is hiring a superintendent especially for a school district that’s in both fiscal and academic emergencies.”
Board members must review background information and references to ensure that the person selected is “not only qualified on paper but the best overall fit for a district that is in the situation we are in,” Catale said.
Debra Mettee, chairwoman of the Academic Distress Commission, said commission members gave the school board the names of three of the finalists they believe understand how the Academic Distress Commission, the school board and the Fiscal Oversight Commission are working together. The commission believes any of those three finalists is qualified for the job but understands that while academics is important, there are other aspects to the job of a superintendent.
“We gave them three names that we felt would be fine,” Mettee said.
She declined to identify the three.
If there would be disagreement, the Academic Distress Commission could overrule the school board’s decision, said Julie Daubenmire, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Education.
Wendy Webb, superintendent since 2004, is retiring at the end of the year.
The five finalists, all but one from Ohio, were interviewed by the school board and academic commission before answering questions from the public in forums over the past two weeks.
The finalists:
• Brown, interim chief academic officer, Philadelphia Schools.
• Christina Dinklocker, deputy superintendent, Parma City Schools.
• Timothy Dortch, director of student services, Kent City Schools.
• Hathorn, executive director of student support, Akron City Schools.
• Thomas Robey, superintendent, Campbell City Schools.
That list was whittled from 31 applicants for the job.
All of the candidates talked about the need to raise student test scores and bolster student achievement.
State report cards released last week by the Ohio Department of Education showed the city district with a designation of academic emergency for the second year. It’s the lowest rating, and the city district is the only one in the state to get it.
Mr. Simon said the citizens committee isn’t trying to usurp the authority of the school board but believes it’s an important decision that should include input from the community.
If the school board selects a candidate other than one of the two recommended by the committee, he said the school board would be expected to explain the process and what the selection was based on.
The public forums drew between 35 and 90 people but Mr. Simon acknowledged that few of those attending were parents.
“We want to see greater numbers involved in the process,” he said.
Mr. Simon said some parents may not have been able to attend because of work commitments.
“There are some who have a degree of apathy,” he said. “We want to challenge that mindset of apathy. There are parents who are concerned. There are grandparents who are concerned.”
Comments
This is interesting,..
Not that I've always agreed with Mr. Simon. But in my already having reviewed her body of work, grasp, experience and values upon hearing of her candidacy
I've backed Ms. Pamela Brown, from the onset and she's head and shoulders above the other applicants for this specific position for a variety of reason's.
See with her package of experience and where she served and or acquired her experience. I feel she's best suited to understand the demographics of Youngstown having came from the larger scale Philadelphia area.
Which all that's paramount in regards to turning this atrocious train wreck of deplorable academics around.
The don't need just a book worm or admin organizer. Youngstown's system is totally broken and in need of dire of a sage of act now capabilities and I see that in her.
She's a true educator with vast administrative knowledge and has a wealth of such eclectic knowledge and experience. That the Youngstown area system and students would immensely benefit from.
It's a gift she's even interested and I don't know who recruited her. But they're to be commended and if she's not selected for the position. Then I'll certainly be one to probe how in the world not.
If she becomes the superintendent. In sharing the concern for the youth and the education they've not been getting. I'd relish being able to both provide volunteer assistance as well as learn from her myself.
It's not often someone impresses you to such a degree, that you'd be willing to volunteer to assist in a cause you share a concern for. But also be able to do it while no doubt leaning a few things from them yourself.
Vindy - I wonder if it will be a WHITE person -> LOL!!!
Just to clarify, isn't Rev. Simon the leader of the charter school formerly known as Eagle Heights. The same charter school that failed to pay millions in taxes? Where did that money go? If he is on that board, we need to ask why he cares so much about who the next Superintendent is. Could it be he wants the Youngstown schools to get worse, so enrollment at his school increases?
P.S. Nice Escalade!
A gift? There is no free lunch so I wonder what the district would have to pay for this gift. You would think Pamela Brown already has a better job, which she just obtained in October of ’09 when her predecessor bailed. On June 25, philly.com said:
"David Weiner, formerly Chief Accountability Officer, becomes Chief Academic and Accountability Officer.
Pamela Brown, the current acting Chief Academic Officer, will remain in the academic office, but Philadelphia School District spokeswoman Evelyn Sample-Oates said she did not know what Brown's new title would be."
The Philly district currently has a state reform commission in place. While Ms. Brown has excellent credentials, they are window dressing in the political valley. She is the most likely candidate because her functioning is very much like Ms. Webb’s. She will fit in well with the current good-old-girls sisterhood. Expect the parents to continue to be able to initiate investigations against oppressive white teachers and principals who attempt to control misbehavior. Expect contempt toward white teachers and secretaries. Districts that develop antagonism toward the larger, predominately white culture, and strive for a black culture have not succeeded. Not here and not in Africa.
What looks like cool efficiency may be a cold and officious manner. Connie Hathorn looks like a better fit for this beleagured district where the contributions of people of all races and subgroups will be critical to success. He has the qualifications and a friendly, engaging manner that suggests tolerance and positive expectations. He sounds like he has a sense of humor, which he would desparately need in the job.
Philly has one of the highest paid Superintendents in the country ... Philly taxpayers are stuck paying a outrageous bonus each year on top of the base pay.
To hire her at Philly rates and stay within permissable pay limits for the job, the board would have to make up some new ways to put money in her pocket such as paying more into her retirement, side payments, moving expenses, home renovation, generous travel expenses, etc. That is what they did with Al Tutela, Wendy Webb's mentor and patron. Al got a better car and more benefits than his predecessor or successor.
FYI Jannie 70. The Rev. Simon has had nothing to do with the failure of Eagle Heights, which if you kept up with the local news you'd know is no longer in existance. Please get your facts straight before you set out to slander one of Youngstowns' finest residents. And oh yes, tthe escalade is at the insistance of his congregation! They wete trying to send a message to our youth that one need not engage in illegal activities to drive a nice car. I happen to know the Reverend personally, and can tell you that he has one of the largest churches in the valley. He is one of the most humble, God fearing men I've ever had the honor to meet. He is a fabulous teacher, leader, pastor, and friend. When you speak ill of this man without knowing the facts, you offend all who respect this man.
@wineywoman- You might want to re-read what I wrote. I made no statements about Rev. Simon. I asked questions.
I know Eagle Heights is no longer in existence. It was shut down by the state. The new school, South Academy, is merely the school formerly known as Eagle Heights. Furthermore, as a tax payer, I have every right to question where those tax dollars went.
And in reference to my comment about the Escalade- It's a nice car. That is great if your congregation is attempting to send that message to kids, but you should also understand why others who are not members of your church might question it given the circumstances.
Thank you jannie! Great questions!
"The public forums drew between 35 and 90 people but Mr. Simon acknowledged that few of those attending were parents."
HERE is, without a doubt, the biggest problem plaguing Youngstown schools.
@ psyker99
Your take in regards to perspectives are your own. However, your putrid presumptive preponderances aren't with any factual merit and as preposterous as it gets,..
Dr. Brown didn't get selected because she was a threat to clean up the very broken administration. That's collectively produced what we'll all agree is indefensible failure.
Where in opposition to your racist ramblings of smart Black woman -vs- white employees. Is as apathetically appalling as it gets and duly entrenches you as a repugnant and rabid racist.
I'd venture to say there were those of all cultures in that flock of failures that feared her arrival. Solely because they feared that their incompetence and lack of qualifications would have had them being identified and ousted.
See we see what they produced and it's without question that one person isn't the cause of that. Hence Wendy Webb, certainly isn't the only one in that mix that needed to go.
Therefore clearly there was a protective process of mass " check protection " in that deliberation of dimwits.
Which is to state instead of taking responsibility. Those mere check cashing producers of pathetic results. Knew that empowering Dr. Brown, would have had them all being evaluated for proficiency.
Where in more focusing on personal " check protection ". They couldn't allow an individual of Dr. Brown's esteemed stature of knowledge and experience.
To oust the likes of Catale, Hanni family and Beachum's. That's using the venue as a mere personal payday perch and meriting an F - grade for their take.
The pay wasn't to be commensurate to what Dr. Brown received in Philadelphia as you alleged either.
The salaried position is that of a fixed wage and all the candidates knew that,.. got that?
@Nunya- "Hanni family?" Last I checked there was only one Hanni on the board. Give that girl some credit.
@ jannie70
You're kiddin,..
Why so bias and singular in your effort of defense? I didn't cite her as questionable alone and yet you single her out?
See I say they are all fit to be fired and Wendy Webb didn't preside over than abominable outrage alone. I cited three names in particular because their names are mainstays among both teachers and parents complaints.
However, and just the same here. Since you want to hail her as a diamond among the indefensible rubes. Regardless to your kinship here's some questions that need be answered.
1. She's a Hanni isn't she?
2. How old is she?
3. What educational merit does she have to be selected on that type of board?
4. Who hired her?
5. Whats her connection with Catale?
Now you try answering that brief overview and contend there's singular credit due. Where with forethought I bet you won't,.. prove me wrong?
@ Jannie70: FYI The Reverend Simon is not my pastor, I am not and never stated that I was a member of his congregation, I merely mentioned that I know the man. You either cannot, or refuse to understand what you read. That is exactly what I mean about getting your facts straight prior to making comment. Yes, I agree you asked questions, but what your quiries implied was snide and insensitive. And, may I point out, you made some false assumptions when you read my comment. Perhaps YOU are the one who needs to re-read.
Just reviewing replies to my comments...
@nunya- I decided to only defend Ms. Hanni since you lumped her in with the rest of her family. I'm not sure who complained to you, but I've heard a great deal of praise for her. I have no "kinship" to her. I know her from the democratic party. It is clear after speaking with her for five minutes that she cares a great deal about her community, specifically the schools. We need to embrace our young people. I did not hail her as a "diamond." I just think it is unfair to lump her in with the likes of Catale, Beachum, and the rest of her family. I'm sure she has a mind of her own.
Furthermore, your questions are totally irrelevant. Many don't even make sense. #4- "Who hired her" The citizens of Youngstown that voted for her, "hired her!" You are a moron! Citizens elect board members to be representatives of the community, not educators. And what are you inferring about Catale?
You make no sense. Stop trying to tear people down who are trying to help the schools!
@ jannie70
Oh Joy,..
Since you evaded the questions I posed to you. It solidifies my point that you can't vindicate a thing you alleged nor could you refute anything I stated.
I'm not into tearing anybody down it's evident that I've seen enough to know there's got to be some accountability,.. and you're defensive about it.
Hence, we've shared our perspectives and based on merit, presentation of positioning and everything else. Even you'd not be able to refute that your position is that of a pandering Putz,.. and a belated shush to you.