Final community meeting on superintendent search touches on privatization, culture, and the search itself

The final community input session concerning the new Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) superintendent was held on Sept. 20 at James Madison Memorial High School. Ten parents attended and voiced their opinions.

Three representatives from Ray and Associates, Inc. conducted the meeting.  The representatives included Mary Fasbender, a retired superintendent, who worked in the Elgin school system in Illinois, the second largest urban school district next to Chicago Public Schools; corporate director Ryan Ray; and Jamison Rusthoven, a professor in the school of education at University of Wisconsin-Platteville and former administrator in the Minneapolis Public Schools.

Ray and Associates, Inc. was hired by the MMSD school board to conduct the search for the new superintendent.

As in previous input sessions, the representatives asked the attendees to describe the strengths and weaknesses of the district and the characteristics they believe the new superintendent should possess.

Attendees cited the quality of the teachers and staff, the involvement and interest of the parents in strong student outcomes, and the history of putting the needs of the children first.

Most attendees agreed the new superintendent should be sensitive to cultural differences and to familiarize himself or herself with the diverse cultures in Madison.

“We have the reputation of being a white collar city, but we also have a large Hmong population, African Americans, Latinos and it’s good to have knowledge of the different cultures and the dynamics that play out between them,” Madison resident Percy Brown said.

One concern frequently addressed at the meeting, as well as at previous meetings, was the achievement gap. Attendees suggested the new leader must deal with the issue in the most cost- effective way, considering the constraints of limited, shrinking budgets and less state aid.

Privatization was also addressed as another important issue. Attendee Dean Coumos said he strongly opposed privatization.

“[The new superintendent] needs to be 100 percent in support of public schools, and 100 percent opposed to using public school resources [to] send them off to a privatized scheme,” Coumos said. “If privatized people want to get involved in school system, [the new superintendent] needs to say bring your resources into the [public] schools because we won’t give you any of ours.”

 Community members also expressed concerned about the effectiveness and success of Ray and Associates, Inc.’s search methods.

Fassbender stood behind the integrity of the firm and assured attendees they would take into account all the suggestions to find a qualified superintendent.

“We are not going to hold back and are going to be honest with the candidates about the wonderful things and the challenges, so they will come in with their eyes open,” Fasbender said. “We are here for the long haul and while most superintendents last an average of three years, those found by Ray and Associates stay an average of seven years.”

According to Ryan, the final meeting was the 36^th group Ray and Associates, Inc. has addressed. An estimated 160 community members have participated in the sessions.

“I think through this process and groups selected [that] people of all groups were very well represented,” Ryan said. “I can honestly go home very pleased.”

To close the meeting, a detailed timeline was laid out. The firm will compile all survey responses and on Sept. 25, the school board will determine the ten qualities they want outlined in the recruitment brochure as a screen test for the candidates. The firm will then actively seek out qualified candidates and have them apply before Jan. 7. Ray and Associates will screen all applicants and present ten to 12 candidates to the school board, who will rate them independently. After a final selection is made, the school board will decide to interview two to five candidates, then, after another round of voting, they will select the semi-finalists.

A public forum will be held before the final selection is made, after which the school board will make the final decision.  The MMSD school board hopes to offer the contract before Feb. 4 to give the new superintendent ample time to meet the current superintendent and to learn about the community.

Previous coverage of MMSD superintendent search meetings on Madison Commons:

Parents meet, offer suggestions for superintendent search

Attendance light at superintendent public session, attendees raise questions on culture