Diversity and Minority Issues Dominate Community Sup Search Forum

Diversity and minority issues dominated the discussion at the Community Forum for the Superintendent search.

Approximately 30 people attended the forum organized by CABE Search Services, the consultants hired by the BOE to find a new chief for Norwalk Schools. About half were the same people that attended the Thursday Parent Forum last week including Board Members Glenn Iannacone, Shirley Mosby, Rosa Murray, Sue Haynie (elect). In addition, principals Lynn Moore of West Rocks, Bob McCain on Nathan Hale, Linda Sumpter of Ponus Ridge were present as well. Bruce Morris, NPS's Human Relations Officer was also at the forum.

When the consultants asked about challenges in Norwalk, one parent spoke about the challenges of the federal No Child Left Behind law and teaching to the test. Another highlighted the lack of attention on identifying early on children who have special needs or reading issues.

Ms. Sumpter said that the next superintendent will have to focus initially on "healing the community" which she feels has suffered rifts. "The new superintendent will have to reach out to everyone," she said. Ms. Sumpter added that Norwalk needs to continue its work in improving student achievement. "Because of the NCLB, we have changed the way we teach children. Evey child is more closely examined. That work needs to continue. It's not one size fits all anymore," she said.

Ms. Sumpter added that the new superintendent will also have to focus on professional development and building relationships with the business and corporate communities.

John Mosby, a leader in Norwalk's Black community, spoke passionately about the need for a leader who will not "sugar coat" issues that are important the black community. He said that he feels that Norwalk has been "selling out" the Black community and that there aren't enough Black and Hispanic administrators and leaders in the school system. "The new superintendent should be ready to treat the black community right,"he said.

Ms. Moore said that there is a suspicion among some people in the district that a the new board has already made its decision about who will be selected as superintendent. "There is scuttlebutt that the decision has already been made," she said.

Mr. Morris told participants that it was unlikely that they were going to find a "superman" who would solve all of the problems of the district. However, he added, "we need to make sure that diversity is not just lipservice," He added that Norwalk needs someone who has a proven track record in an urban district.

Marie Allen, assistant principal at Ponus Ridge Middle School who used to work as a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District, also commented on the issue of diversity. "I've never seen such inequities in schools as I have in Norwalk," she said. The new superintendent needs to address this problem, she said.

One parent said Norwalk needs to cultivate its own leaders and build leadership from within.

Another parent said that perhaps children do a better job with diversity than adults. "They just see each other as friends and are color-blind," she said.

The consultants said that they have met with Norwalk students in this data gathering phase and one comment from the children that struck them was "unify us".

One parent said that she would like to see a superintendent that thinks like a person in corporate world, one that is focused on results and accomplishments.

Ms.Haynie, who was recently elected to the BOE, said that the good thing about looking at data is that it is objective and not emotional. "It shows the bottom-line results, something everyone is interested in," she said

Another parent said that we need a superintendent with, "a big heart and feeling for the children."

The CABE consultants have been meetings with teachers, students, administrators and parents over the last couple of weeks. Tuesday's meeting was the final public forum. All of the data collected at these various meetings will be synthesized and presented at a BOE meeting on December 1.

Parent Forum on Superintendent Seach

A parent forum about the superintendent search was held yesterday evening (Thursday) at City Hall.  Approximately 30 people met with two search consultants from CABE Search Services, Eliza Holcomb and Jakie Jacoby, a former superintendent for Glastonbury and Hartford.

In addition to parents, several administrators and board members were present, including Rosa Murray, Glenn Iannaccone, Shirley Mosby, Sue Haynie (elect), and prinicipals Lynn Moore of West Rocks and Bob McCain of Nathan Hale. While the forum was billed as a "Parent Forum", several of the board members and administrators added their input.

The search consultants explained the process of finding a superintendent, the certification requirements and the need for confidentiality.  They said they will advertise for the position nationally as well as go out and recruit candidates.  "We will reach out in as many ways possible to get a rich candidate pool," said Ms. Holcomb. 

The consultants said they viewed Norwalk to be a desirable placement because of its diversity, location, size, and strong faculty.  "It's great for an candidate that is looking for a challenge.  There is great potential in Norwalk," said Ms. Jacoby. 

They asked the parents about other strengths of Norwalk schools which should be shared with a prospective superintendent.   One parent commented that Norwalk is a mid-size city but "feels like a small town" and that the schools have a lot of spirit.  Another parent said that we have some interesting programs like the magnet schools and the Center for Global Studies.

The consultants then asked about Norwalk's challenges.  Lynn Moore, prinicipal of West Rocks, spoke at length about the negativity that exists in Norwalk and how anonymous comments on blogs are partly to blame.

Gloria Falcone, president of the Norwalk High School PTO, said that communication and transparency are a problem in Norwalk and a lot of what you get is "smoke and mirrors."  She also described Norwalk as "a house with good bones that needs renovation."

Jennifer Covello, a member of the PTO Council said that Norwalk schools needs to stop the "band-aid approach" and go more for the "open-heart" surgery approach to resolve the issues that face the district.  She also said that she is looking for someone with a "spark in their eye who loves what they do."

Several parents spoke about the need for a superintendent who is visible and trustworthy. 

Ms. Mosby spoke several times about her concern about children from all backgrounds and the achievement gap.  She also said that she wanted someone with Central Office experience. 

One parent said he wants a superintendent who has a good working relationship with the BOE and that two parties should share the same goals and objectives.

When asked about what strategies they would employ to make sure the candidate didn't just "talk a good talk", the consultants responded that they would run background checks, tap into national networks, ask probing questions, check state data and perform site visits.  The consultants also said they are reaching out to women and minority educator groups.

Ms. Holcomb and Ms. Jacoby said they typically present 5-6 candidates from which a board chooses, but it could be more or less.  "We think quality is more important than quantity, " said Ms. Holcomb.

They expect that they will have candidates by mid December or January.  There is a possibility of bringing two finalists before the community if the candidates agree. 

Ms. Murray asked specifically about site visits and how they would be handled.  She stressed that we need to speak with a variety of parties within a community to learn about the candidate.

Bob McCain, prinicipal of Nathan Hale,  was a silent observer at the forum.  At the end of the event, this reporter asked if he was applying for the job.  "I'm still thinking about it.  I haven't decided yet," he said.

CABE Search Services will synthesize all of the data collected from the Leadership Assessment Profiles and Community Forums and present their findings at a BOE Meeting on Dec 1. 

See related stories:
More on CABE Search Services
Search Firm Selected: CABE Search Services

BOE Seeks Community Input on Sup Search

Tonight’s BOE meeting was full of information about the search for a new superintendent with Chair Rosa Murray saying all the right things about community input and participation -- even announcing a public forum tentatively scheduled for Nov. 10.

That still didn’t stop interim Superintendent William Pappalo from jokingly saying, “The turtles are moving,” a tongue-in-cheek reference to critics, including Norwalknet, who have lamented the slow pace of the BOE’s search.

Ms. Murray was quick to respond, “The turtle wins the race.”

The exchange occurred at the end of a full discussion about how the Board will solicit comments from community stakeholders.

On behalf of the Board, Ms. Murray released the following statement:

I am happy to share with you the important news about the next step in the superintendent search process.

The board of education has directed staff to arrange for meetings that will provide everyone in the community with an opportunity to share with the Board of Education their view as to what skills and talents the new superintendent should possess. The dates for these meetings will be announced shortly and will provide an opportunity for anyone who wishes to share their thinking about this matter with the board.

Tentative plans are underway at this time to hold a Public Forum on November 10th at 7 o’clock in the Community Room at City Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to ensure that all members of the community that wish to make their feeling know to the board have an opportunity to do so as the board moves forward in this very important process.

In addition, a number of groups will be invited to meet with the search consultants in focus meeting settings to share their thoughts with the consultants about this very important issue.

Meetings will not be the only forum for citizens to make their feelings known as there will also be a opportunity for anyone who wishes, to complete a Leadership Profile Assessment form which will be available at all schools and on the NPS website. In addition all citizens may share their thoughts with the search consultants in writing.

It is the board’s primary objective that, anyone who wishes their thoughts to be heard, has the opportunity to do so.

Ms. Murray also said that the Board would use information that they received from this past weekend's Community Conversation a forum that was organized by the Norwalk Education Foundation.

Eliza Holcomb, the consultant from CABE Search Services, was present at the BOE Meeting as an observer.