School superintendent search committee named
The members of the committee charged with finding the next RPS Superintendent have been revealed. While the field of education makes up a majority of the committee, I do find it curious that only 1 current RPS employee is included. I realize the seasons can’t change in this town without Jim Ukrop’s approval, but it seems to me that the inclusion of a couple more principals or, god forbid, teachers (y’know, the ones who might actually know from experience where the current system is broken) might be a wise idea.
I am heartened by the inclusion of Ben Campbell on that list. In addition to Mr.Campbell’s great qualifications, his wife is a teacher in a city elementary school (and was also one of my teachers in my graduate program).
I am not so impressed by Wade Ellegood. Some of the candidates endorsed by the REA in the last election cycle were ridiculously out of touch with the communities’ needs and desires, and completely unqualified for the positions that they were seeking. Still I must pay my REA dues in case I get sued…
Have any of the Ukrops kids gone to Richmond Public Schools(not counting Munford, Fox, or the Governor’s)? And how come Braxton didn’t choose the president of the Richmond Council of PTAs? I like the choice of principal David Hudson. Have any of the business men sent their kids to RPS or spent time in a classroom? I wonder. I would like to see some great teachers on this panel. I just hope all these big business folk don’t go with Bush’s plan of “starving the beast,” that is, public education. Isn’t Altria, the makers of Kraft, owned by the cigarette makers Phillip Morris? What were schools like with Melvin Law as board chairman? I think we need a town meeting regarding a search for a School Superintendent. People have been dissatisfied for far too long with public education in this town –since I was born forty years ago.
Dunno about other kids, but Rob Ukrop went to Collegiate. Somehow I suspect the Ukrop family isn’t seeking to pack the VAIS accreditation board, but what do I know?
I can tell you the two RPS teachers I’ve spoke with about this had the exact same first reaction: “Why are there no active teachers on the list?”
And to piggyback on the above teacher’s comment, I don’t think I know any current teachers who are members of the REA because they think they REA is a great organization. So if Ellegood is supposed to truly represent the interest of REA teachers…well, call me skeptical.
Altria is not associated with Kraft in anyway. Altria is the parent company of Philip Morris USA. Kraft and Philip Morris International are no longer associated with Altria or PM USA.
I think Kraft is owned by Nabisco.
I got that Altria company all wrong.
What would huge corporations look for in a School Superintendent? And of those on the panel, how many have used or worked in urban public schools?
At least the one RPS employee they have on the committee is a good one!
Jonah, You’re talking about David Hudson? I agree, that was a good choice. He has really turned Holton around. He might be the best one on the entire committee.