In a written statement Ms. Murray essentially repeated what she had said at the last Board meeting two weeks ago that the BOE is concerned that candidates won't apply to be the Superintendent in Norwalk if there is a danger that their name would become public:
The challenge for the search committee, who is committed to transperancy in this process must keep the search process confidential if we are to encourage the interest and applications from a large pool of high quality candidates.Ms Murray's statement should cause any parent or teacher in Norwalk great concern. It's been almost four months since Dr. Corda announced he was departing and the BOE's actions, or lack thereof, demonstrate a absence of effective leadership.
The candidates must be assured that a thorough process is a goal of the committee, This will encourage candidates that are successful in their current position to apply for our vacancy. Without these assurances, experienced candidates will not apply. A "leak" would expose a candidate's position in their current community, sending a signal that their superintendent is looking. Only one person can be selected and the quality of candidates who will bot be selected become, "damaged goods" in their community.
The search committee will move the process forward without putting at risk the top priority of being thorough. Solicit and encourage input from the community in a variety of ways that will be announced in the near future.
It should have taken the BOE no more than a month to figure out a process by which to conduct its search. The BOE's time should be invested in finding the right candidate not in repeating the same talking points week after week.
In addition Ms. Murray is still unable, or unwilling, to provide a straight answer on what will occur in the likely event that a superintendent has not been found by the end of the year. Dr. Papallo has stated unequivically that State law prevents him from working more than half a year.
"We'll deal with it when the time comes. We'll try and work with Dr. Papallo on his days, " is all Ms. Murray had to say when asked about this topic.
At the BOE meeting, board members decided after much discussion that they woul hold a meeting in early October to discuss the search. BOE members also grappled with the question of whether to search for candidates only within the Tri-State area or to broaden scope to include national candidates.
Earlier in the day the several community organizations including the Norwalk Education Foundation, Norwalk Community College, Norwalk NAACP, and the Norwalk PTO Council held an event at the NCC to announce an event called "Community Conversation About Education" that will be held on October 17. The purpose of the gathering is to provide a forum for Norwalk citizens to discuss that state of education in Norwalk.
"Our school system is at a crossroads," said State Senator Bob Duff who is also a sponsor of the event. "We're searching for a superintendent and working to increase our standardized test scores."
No one from the BOE or central office attended the press conference. Ms. Murray said she has had "conversations" with the organizers but would not specify how the BOE will be participating.
Also at the BOE meeting Assistant Superintendent Tony Daddona announced that the position of ultility aides which had been eliminated due to budget cuts will be reinstated. Most elementary schools will have aides will be available for 12.5 hours per week. School designated as Title I schools will have an aide available for 25.5 hours per week.
The decision to re-hire the aides came after central office administrators met with elementary school principals who said they needed these workers. Funding for the re-hirers is coming from a state priority school grant.
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