Superintendent Finalists Named

This just got released from SPS - I have not done any research yet on theses candidates.

The Seattle School Board on Thursday announced three finalists for Superintendent: José L. Banda, Steven W. Enoch and Sandra L. Husk (please see the attached announcement for more information, bios and photos).

Comments

mirmac1 said…
Who said we couldn't attract quality candidates? At least a few of these folks have actually worked in their districts for over five years.
4/19/12, 10:27 AM
Josh Hayes said…
I don't know if it's just the blurbs talking, but all three sound like top-down people. None seem to have a history of encouraging local control and responsibility (although Dr. Husk "designed and implemented a District-wide strategic plan with accountability for all schools and departments..." - say, does that include accountability for administrators?). So I guess, I'm waiting to hear more.

Nobody jumps out as a "wow" candidate for me, but the limited info doesn't make any of them seem like a disaster, either (and after all, info about MGJ's previous job DID make her seem pretty disastrous a priori, dinnit?).
4/19/12, 10:33 AM
Anonymous said…
Trying to be hopeful, but eek, this came up on a search of the third candidate:

http://www.salem-news.com/articles/april032006/sksdsuper_32806.php

googler
4/19/12, 10:33 AM
Anonymous said…
...and this.

http://extras.denverpost.com/news/news0802l.htm

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-75014730.html

googler
4/19/12, 10:47 AM
mirmac1 said…
Dan Dempsey, we need your data analysis please!
4/19/12, 10:48 AM
Anonymous said…
Eeek!

"One can only hope that Dr. Husk did a better job of being a superintendent in Tennessee, than she did in Colorado, to prepare her for her new job in Oregon. Too bad the school board wasn't aware that Dr. Husk had applied for a Superintendency in Ft. Collins, Colorado--and eventually withdrew her application, due the fire storm of emails, letters and phone calls that the district received from numerous people who had had the unfortunate task of attempting to work with her during her tenure as a Superintendent in Colorado. Yes, all the comments received in Ft. Collins told of her neopotism, binges with alcohol, drunk driving citation (that she never shared with the school board until it came out in the newspaper, 6 months later) despicable treatment of outstanding staff and administrators, and a persistant attititude of "not listening" and asserting that it was HER way or the highway. This is a naracistic indivual you are dealing with. She is known for not respecting communities values, as evidenced by getting rid of the communities and staff strategic plan and developing her own. Mark our words, you will begin to see a mass exit of Administrators from your district, due to her leadership style that will be veiled in "she is doing what is best for the district", she will convince your board when your effective administrators begin to leave that there leaving has nothing to do with her! She practically ruined the Mapleton School District in Colorado--and by the time the school board finally would listen and had caught onto her, by that time the damage had been done. Over 20 long time administrators and numerous teachers who left due to the climate and tone that she had established in her 5 years as Superintendent. Our suggestion to these board members, teachers, community members and administrators is that you need to keep a tight watch on her. Don't let your school board stick their head in the sand if and when "Husk issues" start to arise. Our condolences to the Salem-Keizer School District."

Don't shoot the messenger
4/19/12, 10:59 AM
Anonymous said…
She was a candidate for Superintendent in Fort Collins (2005) but was not selected.

http://www.northfortynews.com/Archive/A200501superintendent.htm

So far, reports are supporting the anonymous poster from the Salem News story...

discouraged
4/19/12, 11:00 AM
Anonymous said…
http://extras.denverpost.com/news/news0802l.htm

Hate to see things go unsubstantiated, so there's a link. Also has positive information.

signed, Pseudonymous Pundit
4/19/12, 11:35 AM
Anonymous said…
- Before agreeing to take a sobriety test, Husk grew angry at the patrolman who stopped her, according to police reports.

"She demanded again to be released, saying that she is an important person," the officer said in his report. -

histrionic blogger
4/19/12, 11:41 AM
Anonymous said…
I wish there was someone who put working with communities (not necessarily big business) and teachers/school staff first. The tech stuff has been a booby trap for so many districts.

- saddened by lack of strong leaders
4/19/12, 12:12 PM
Anonymous said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
4/19/12, 12:47 PM
Anonymous said…
From the Salem-Keizer District website:

http://www.salkeiz.k12.or.us/content/superintendent-sandy-husk

"I am focused on a process of continuous improvement in our school district by implementing a strategic plan designed to promote quality assurance. I am trying to bring best practices from the business world to our school district and to use them for the benefit of our students. My efforts are all geared toward putting into practice the things that will ultimately provide better service for our kids."
– Superintendent Sandy Husk

Hmmm. More reform?

n...
4/19/12, 12:55 PM
Anonymous said…
I wonder, Josh, if it isn't in our school board's DNA to seek out top-down people. Former board members Sundquist and Meier and current members Carr, Martin-Morris and DeBell are definitely top-down and buttoned-up reformers. I think Smith-Blum fits in as well.

I really believe that Patu is the only board member who truly thinks for herself and has the courage to dissent. I think Peaslee and McLaren still haven't found their voices.

n...
4/19/12, 1:09 PM
Melissa Westbrook said…
Yes, Dr. Husk also had a strong vision of running a district to business standards while in Tennessee (see my individual thread on her).
4/19/12, 1:10 PM
Charlie Mas said…
Boy, this is a strong set of candidates. It looks like the search firm, the advisory committee, and the board have done a good job so far.
4/19/12, 1:19 PM
mirmac1 said…
I like that they come from comparably sized districts.
4/19/12, 1:38 PM
Anonymous said…
I'm hoping to NOT hear "strategic plan", "best practices", or "business model" very much during these upcoming interviews with the press. Educating children from a myriad of cultural backgrounds and varying degrees of family experience is NOT A BUSINESS!

Two and a quarter years to go.
4/19/12, 10:22 PM
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