I just returned from the long meeting at the board of education where each of the candidates was given 20 questions selected from those submitted by audience members before the meeting began. Personally, I was very impressed with all three candidates and it gave me great hope for the future of our school system. Overall, the candidates each expressed dedication to students first and foremost, teacher and principal training and fiscal responsibility.
These are my impressions from the interviews:
First at the podium was Gloria Davis, Superintendent of Decatur (Illinois) Public Schools. An outgoing and engaging woman, Ms. Davis conveyed a strong knowledge of curriculum and instruction, viewing herself as the instructional leader for the district. She had many years of classroom experience as well as more as an administrator. She focused on being data-driven and fair. She had a very strong persona, projecting that she was a happy, cheerful and pragmatic person. She was a very good speaker and would be a strong leader.
Next, Arthur Culver, Superintendent of Champaign (Illinois) Community Unit School District #4 responded to exactly the same 20 questions with similar answers but a bit more detailed. Mr. Culver had a steady, calm demeanor with a gift for articulating his thoughts. He seemed very knowledgeable and very caring. A former special education teacher, he had a kind and compassionate way of speaking, but he was also firm in sticking with data-driven results and hard work. He sees our system as having a great deal of potential, saying we are "primed to become a beacon for the state". He would be an inspiring, fair and down-to-earth leader.
Last, Dr. Lillie Cox, Superintendent of Hickory (North Carolina) Public Schools took to the podium, and unhooked the mic, being the only candidate to walk around the stage a bit while answering the 20 questions. She spoke about being a moral and ethical leader, dedicated to teachers and principals. She said she has a "laser-like focus on children" and is committed to evaluating teachers and principals regularly, identifying those who excel, those who show potential and those who need support, or could be asked to try another field. She came across as very well-informed in methodology and seemed to have a firm grasp on teaching and learning. In fact, she was rather brilliant in that arena.
All three seemed sincerely devoted to children, knowledgeable of their craft as all have long teaching credentials, interesting, poised and ready to get to work. All three seemed to have a better grasp of fiscal budgets than anyone else we've had. The board will have a tough time making the final selection. I very much look forward to the day we start anew!
66 comments:
Cere great recap! All three are very articulate. I liked the relaxed nature of Cox when she grabbed the mike. Work the room! It will be tough and I plan to pass along my thoughts to my BOE reps.
Great start to the most important decision our board will make this year!
I agree with being pleasantly surprised. Davis seemed very warm and engaging and has superintendent experience (don't know how much) Concern: Didn't see as much substance as with the other two. Culver knows A LOT and is committed to fact based decisions. Concern: Would the Board be afraid of someone they couldn't run over? Cox was so at ease with the crowd and knew a lot about curriculum. She seems to be a consensus builder. Concern: I read that she has only 2 years experience in any one job and only 18 months as a superintendent. DeKalb is not a district for a novice.
Someone behind us mentioned that Cox would make an excellent head of Curriculum and Instruction (replacing Beaseley).
Cox is smart - graduated Phi Beta Kappa in her college class (meaning she was in the top 3-5% academically). She also has a doctoral degree. We need some smart and academically accomplished leaders in DCSS, not just gym and business ed teachers who were all in the same fraternities and sororities in college.
It seems like you mean something else behind your comment. Remember, you are dealing with educators.... we are smater than that.
I am sorry to say I missed it tonight becuase my son had his spring performance at his school. Did anyone get a feel for who the board is leaning toward?
Two words: BACKGROUND CHECK.
And I mean two kinds:
1. The typical kind where we look for legal transgressions.
2. A deeper look at test scores, achievements, accomplishments and teacher morale.
3. A real deep look at blogs, newspapers, etc. in their home towns through their entire tenure in the district. What did they do right? How did they handle crisis, scandal, etc? Did their names come up in prior positions? Are there good things we should know about them - statements from them that show that they are effective leaders?
We should have known better than to hire Johnny Brown - there were inklings from his old district that he wouldn't be a good fit. Let's not make that mistake again.
er make that three.
I agree about the deep background check. But how do you know what is true? Blogs are great, but some of them are just gossip or speculation. Does the Board visit the district and actually talk to people? I think that would be good.
Glad to hear that ya'll were pleasantly surprised with the candidates. Although everyone keeps saying that Dekalb is no place for a novice, I'm not sure that we should rule the rising stars so quickly. Part of the problem with Dekalb and so many other government organizations is that those who are experience in years also are experienced in how to work (i.e., manipulate) the system. I would much rather have someone who is intelligent, committed, and confident. Seems like there aren't a lot of options that meet both criteria.
If we hire any of the three, and they come in and do the things we need for them to do to move this system in the right direction, there will be controversy. The new superintendent will definitely step on the toes of the powers that be (i.e., persons in the friends and family circle, and maybe even persons in some of the stronger neighborhood groups).
I agree with the warning that looking at blogs, and even newspaper articles, should be done with caution. Blogs can be notorious for spurring controversy that may or may not be based in fact. Newspapers promote controversy to sell papers. So we have to make sure that if there is anything negative to be found, that we should consider the source and make sure that any reporting is not one-sided.
Being from a small district is not necessarily a bad thing. Many great talents start in small environments. Often, a leader's success comes not just from their talents, but from the talents/skills of the people that directly support them. The question is, do they have the BASIC qualities and qualifications that we need in our superintendent? Do they have the backbone, determination, stamina, and courage to do what needs to be done in spite of the opposition?
Can we tell the new super right from the start that hiring relatives is not cool at all?
Do they have the backbone, determination, stamina, and courage to do what needs to be done in spite of the opposition?
This is the question that needed to be asked last night and it was definitely submitted by several parents, but the consultants choose not to ask it.
@ Anonymous 6:16 AM
"Do they have the backbone, determination, stamina, and courage to do what needs to be done in spite of the opposition?"
And do they have the moral fiber not to fall into the greed and corruption that tends to characterize many large systems?
Consultants! Ha ha ha ha, the folks that made the call on the questions are the very people who should be fired before the new Super arrives.
If Tyson does not fire AUDRIA BERRY AND HER ARMY, Turk, Moseley, Thompson, Mitchell-Mayfield, Ramsey, Tucker, BOTH Guilroys and the rest who were hired under CLew, DCSS is DOOMED for failure.
Ms. Tyson we gave you your golden parachute, now EARN it! If any of these candidates come here and the CLew leadership remains in place, the new super is doomed for failure.
After seeing how the staff was fawning all over the candidates last night, it looked like someone had turned the lights on and dozens of cock roaches scattered.
We must give the new Super a chance and that means Ms. Tyson it's time you do the tough job of cleaning the Palace out of the former Clew bunch so we can move forward and begin the healing process.
@6:42
AJC Davis is quoted as saying there appeared to be too many layers. The focus should be on children, not on adult public employment.
I too was impressed by all three candidates in one way or another. Culver and Cox did a better job of articulating specific ways that they'll address certain problems, but I liked that all of them expressed a willingness to let people go who aren't effective or doing what they need to do. I also commend Cox for stating that we need equity in education at every school but that "equity does not mean equal." She seemed to really get that there's a disconnect between our north and south communities and that maybe we need to not focus on getting them to agree but rather on ensuring that all of the children are succeeding and getting what their community needs.
Unfortunately, I was caught in traffic and missed the first 20 minutes of Ms. Davis' presentation. But all three seemed to see DCSS's issues as a challenge rather than a deterrent.
They seem to see the promise beneath all the controversy. They all seem to have ideas/theories of what should be done to resolve the issues and improve the system.
I am sure that each candidate is capable of following through to implement their ideas and I believe that DCSS would benefit if one of them is able to come in and do what they know needs to be done. I guess I wonder, if any of them is offered the position, would they accept it? Are the challenges enough of an enticement for them to leave their current positions? Did they see or hear anything during this visit that gives them pause and is making them rethink this "opportunity"?
The two candidates from Illinois came from districts with unions so were used to dealing with union leaders and negotiations. Dr. Cox is from NC, where there are no unions and is used to dealing with professional teachers' groups.
I found it interesting that the two from Illinois referred to the board occasionally as the 'trustees'... I thought to myself - that is such a better term - as that's what they are supposed to be - the fiscal trustees for the taxpayers.
Any one of the three seemed much more knowledgeable in the areas of running a school system and educating children than either Clew or Ms Tyson. I lkike the enthusiasm of Ms Cox
Read the comments in the Decatur Herald & Review regarding Davis's job search. She will spend you into the ground and bully anyone who gets in her way. So yes, Decatur would be thrilled if you would hire her!
Anon 10:48, that's just what I was coming here to say. I have a friend who teaches in Davis's district and they can't wait to get rid of her. I asked her for information about her and she said, "I don't want to say anything too bad because we don't want to jinx her getting the job down there."
OMG
The three candidates don't seem to portend the end of civilization as we know it after all.
Let's do our diligence and do some checking. I tend to think that no one runs a school system without being criticized wrongfully or rightfully and that no one will succeed here unless we give them a chance and support them. Research shows that student achievement tracks superintendent continuity. The more often you change, the worse your students do. This will be our 5th in 10 years. Let's get it right this time.
Personally, I like Culver and Cox. I think that Cox would be a great superintendent AFTER Culver helps fix a lot of the issues in the administration. It looks like that is his strong suit. LOVED Cox and her refreshing and progressive ideas on what it takes to make things work, but DCSS needs a new foundation for the system and Culver looks like the best candidate. I would hire Cox to be our head of curriculum and instruction and get her prepped for the bigger job and about 7-10 years.
Davis was a "wow" presenter, but is a bulldog and you can tell. We have had so much angst in DCSS that it is time to salvage the good that is in small pockets and give those great DCSS employees a calm and constructive leader. Culver reminded me a good bit of Andrew Young and was very endearing.
Over a couple of beers and some notes on bar napkins, we came up with this idea:
Hire all 3! The price, a drop in the bucket compared to what's already been wasted and still wasted on ineffective and redundant occupants of the palace.
Hire all 3 as a hybrid structure...
One would be Superintendent of all Business related issues.
One would be Superintendent of all student related issues.
One would be Superintendent of Instructional/Teacher Support.
These 3 qualified individuals could easily displace/replace 5 if not more current employees each and would easily recoup our investment.
@ 10:49. I agree with your suggestion of hiring Cox for Beasley's position and Culver as superintendent to clean house and get things back on track. I believe that the two of them would be able to turn DCSS around and put it back on track to educate our children.
1:13 PM
Great idea!
It's great that your district is opening the candidates to the public. In Decatur the board hired Davis in secret - it was too late to do anything when we heard the negative from Dodge City, KS.
Please, in this search, focus on past accomplishments and opinions held of these candidates in districts where they're already known, not on the warm and fuzzy words they utter about "putting children first." Or, at least, ask them what that cliche means to them--e.g., would they support a tax increase to make class sizes smaller and provide adequate supplies? And how do they see Title I funds best spent?
Don't ask, what's your opinion on nepotism: ask, how many employees in your district are related through genes or family to other employees? What are your district's nepotism policies? No one is going to say anything pro-friends and family at this point, so what matters most is each candidate's past behavior.
I'd also like to know--and maybe this was covered--why each is seeking to leave where they are? Is it just that they've heard about the great air quality in Atlanta and can't wait to join the commute? I'd think that "wanting more of a challenge", "wanting to make a difference", or "wanting to try out some cutting-edge instructional approaches, would be OK reasons that would reveal much about each candidate.
And also--again, I wasn't there--what about, "How do you envision the first 120 days of your Superintendency?" It would be great to hear their priorities: would they want to survey all positions in light of the hard-to-find personnel survey a few years ago; visit, say, 20% of schools at each level and really talk to staff; solicit community input from across the county; or furnigh their office and wait to "get their feet wet"?
Nice talk is cheap, but these folks aren't cheap and they should be prepared to deliver concrete suggestions for improving the academic achievement of our students. DCSS is a school district, first and foremost. What do they think will make it better?
Agree with DCSS teacher...don't be seduced by mere words, all candidates prep for "oral interviews" and sound good. What are the real metrics of their past performance? What are the valid indicators os what they'll most likely do, not say, if they get the job. Given the abysmal track record of many current BOE members in picking "leaders", it is incumbent that much more due diligence be done.
I had heard that if you missed all or part of yesterday's superintendent interviews, you could view them through the Dekalb County website. Has anyone been successful in doing this?
I missed part of the Davis interview and attempted to view it through the County website, but it's not working for me. Anyone else had any luck?
This is so serious for 2 or 3 years. We can't afford to lose another eneration of students. I too, heard the popularity and personality contest. Yes, I heard the answers each canadate or should I say "contestant". I think each of them played their roles well, but let's face it we are looking for "an experienced, proven Supt. with a data based track record." We do not have that in these candidates. I admire them, no I feel sorry for them to even "think" they even collectively think they can bring about "positive" change to DeKalb with all of theproblems we must solve just to "keep" our accredidation, the law suits, the camps, the so divided Board?
The Search Firm needs to be fired or at least sent back to the drawing board.
Data, data data needed. The proof is in the pudding. Whta about a trial year? Make each one an area Executive Director for a year while Tyson stays on for her next contracted year and see whose data pans out@ One areas range on a average of 16,00 to 26,000 students. That would give us some real data and we wouldn't have to ask anyone outside the system about them. Folk, we are in a real crisis here. Let's get real.
Regarding blogger who said:
Hire all 3! The price, a drop in the bucket compared to what's already been wasted and still wasted on ineffective and redundant occupants of the palace.
Hire all 3 as a hybrid structure...
One would be Superintendent of all Business related issues.
One would be Superintendent of all student related issues.
One would be Superintendent of Instructional/Teacher Support.
These 3 qualified individuals could easily displace/replace 5 if not more current employees each and would easily recoup our investment.
LOVE IT. LOVE IT. LOVE IT. We could finally get rid of the group of names that everyone's always saying "get rid of" and they don't seem to be listening, and use their wasted salaries to pay these 3 wonderful, fresh, enthusiastic leaders.
Dr. Cox is not "of color", so I'm wondering if she really has much of a chance. With all the progress we've made, it would be a shame if the choice were influenced by that.
Is it just me, or does it strike anyone as odd that the discussion of teacher pensions has received almost twice as many comments as this one?
Mind you, I am a teacher and fervently agree that an unjustice has been done. I am proud of the two who stepped up to speak for us and pray that they prevail.
But now that we have our candidates for super in front of us--now that we have come to this critical moment--where is everyone?
Just a late night observation.
@ Anonymous, April 2, 2:56 AM
Where is Everyone?
As an integral part of the Grand Plan of the BOE and Tyson for the Superintendent Search, many people are on Spring Break.
(1) The opening part of the Grand Plan was to have a hurry-up "public" forum, with less than 2 days' notice.
(2) Then, questions could be submitted in person, only, by 5:30 PM (on a work day for most parents -- how many could get to the Stone Mountain Palace from work in Atlanta traffic by 5:30 PM? How many low-income stakeholders had just started their shifts?)
(3) Comments, via an "Impression Sheet" completed after each candidate's Q&A session to be given to the BOE for consideration on Friday morning could be made only by those present. The rest of the stakeholders and taxpayers who were unable to the be there were disenfranchised. (The so-called comments "opportunity" that eventually showed up on the DCSS website was not the same as the "Impresson Sheet" nor was there any suggestion that the BOE would even look at those comments.)
NOTE: The televised Q & A of superintendent candidates would not have happened if Nancy Jester had not requested it. But, she did not go far enough to make sure that all stakeholders could have a voice in the process.
Part 4 of the BOE's Grand Plan is that the new superintendent decision will be finalized and announced during Spring Break. At night. Like the hurry-up "public" forum.
Bowen is quoted as saying that the decision is several weeks away. Several other board members have confirmed this. The consultants said that each board member will get a copy of all the comments. Whether they read them or not, is hard to know.
Contracts have to be negotiated, so even if they decided who already, you can expect a fair amount of give and take.
For better or worse, DCSS has been far more transparent than any other system in GA with this process.
My post on the interviews is more or less personality-based. Maureen Downey has a very good report on the same session at her AJC "Get Schooled" blog with more details on candidates positions. Read it here:
Sizing up the choices for DeKalb school chief after Q&A session
Maureen shares the quote below from Dr.Cox. Many of us thought this statement was very frank and impressive. It showed us that Cox truly is focused on education. And, education being the great equalizer, if granted equitably across the county will eventually alleviate the mistrust between north and south. Even though the candidates from Illinois are African-American, in my opinion they may not really understand southern race relations as well as Dr. Cox. It's very different here in the south. I can say this as a transplanted Yankee who has learned over the last 28 years.
Cox gave the frankest response to the question on how she would go about uniting a county that has chosen to segregate itself by its housing choices.
Noting her own district’s north and south divide, Cox said, “Sometimes, the idea of bringing people together may not be our role as a school district. Our role is to provide a quality and highly rigorous education for every child”
“I believe in equity for all children, Sometimes, that doesn’t mean equal,” she said. “Sometimes, that is something that you just have to say. Some students need different resources to meet the standards.”
There's also this article in the regular AJC on the public interviews:
DeKalb candidates tell how they would fix school district
We are the "beer and bar napkin" bloggers who suggested the hiring of all 3 as a hybrid superintendent.
It is impossible for us to believe this job could be done by a single individual alone.
The smart leader whether it be president, CEO or superintendent, surrounds themselves with a cadre of smart, talented individuals to act as both trusted advisors and
lieutenants to execute the vision and plan. The leader and his cadre may not always agree. It is this group that provides the best information to the leader for them to consider before making the final decision(s).
Our downfall was leaders who surrounded themselves with friends, family and others to play the role as the faithful, blind supporters. Worshipers if you will.
We did not need worshipers! We needed people with vision, integrity and the understanding of the problems facing our county, and for that matter our country!
By hiring the 3 and allowing the 3 to staff and surround themsevels the with resources they need to make the necessary changes in our view is the only viable exit strategy on the horizon.
Failing that,putting in a new superintendent without moving out the sham infrastructure supporting the process is merely a recipe for more of the same...a heaping helping of the same-ol-same ol
"blank on a shingle."
Beer and Bar Napkins
Jim Bohica Ben Dover
For those that missed the public session, go to this link and scroll to the bottom of the page:
Video on Demand - PDS 24
I sense from some of the comments and information out there that Ms. Davis would probably not be what we need at this time. I am in the camp of Dr. Cox would be an incredible replacement for Beasley as a "right hand gal" for Mr. Culver as the "turn around" guy for righting the ship as we sail forward and then putting Dr.Cox in charge in 4-5 years after the ship has been righted. I am in support of more thorough background checks and also am not sure that any of them would be interested in a position that wasn't "superintendent" although going from a small district super to 99,000 "right hand gal" director of instruction with a salary increase may very well be a step up....
Loved Cox. One of the major issues across the district is moral and trust. She came across as a person who can build moral. That is the first step in fixing DCSS. Low moral and lack of trust breads poor performance.
We do have some good people at the top. Problem is they have been whipped and pushed to doing the will of Lewis and Tyson. I think if we have a leader who will allow the staff to perform and do their jobs we will see a change in them. Example: when Lewis asked for advise and you advised against his thoughts, you became the outcast. Tyson is a micro manager who is one person in public but very different behind the scenes. Both Tyson and Lewis allowed the position to go to their heads. They rule as bully's. The Board and Tyson talk about being open and transparent. Ha everything about Tyson is secret. Secrets lead to rumors and low moral.
I liked the things Davis had to say, but the impression of her was that she will have that same attitude of I am the Super why do you think you are worthy of speaking with me. I don't think she will be able to improve moral at the end of the day. She seemed to have the bully qualities. We have had that, it didn't work.
In my humble opinion, the best choice would be Cox. She seemed honest and interested in team building rather than power.
The real key to success of any of the candidates is for the Board to allow them to run the system. The board is far to involved in the everyday running of the district and their own personal interest.
"Even though the candidates from Illinois are African-American, in my opinion they may not really understand southern race relations as well as Dr. Cox. It's very different here in the south. I can say this as a transplanted Yankee who has learned over the last 28 years. "
As a transplanted yankee (white) I would agree. The black kids I grew up with were so much like me. They were experiencing some prejudice, but not what a southern black student went through.
Oh, come on, 12:28. Let's not start the holier than thou northern white spiel. People of color have been treated badly by the whole nation - don't blame that on the south.
Sorry - I wasn't saying there aren't racial prejudices everywhere, I was just saying that it's very different in the south - rightfully so. This is where slavery lived and through slave ownership, many southerners have built great wealth that has sustained generations. Civil War battles took place here on our soil. Slave cabins can still be found here and there. School integration was a big part of growing up in the south - as was the civil rights movement - there's a lot of hurt still lingering over this - the racial mistrust in DeKalb is much stronger than anywhere north or especially in the midwest that I've experienced. The racial history here is very, painful and still very real. And on top of that - we don't sweep it under the rug - we keep it out front and center - painful as it is - and discuss it all the time.
I have looked at the local papers for all three communities, and there were several "good riddance" comments regarding both Davis and Culver. Also comments to the effect of "and I hope he/she takes all those administrators he/she brought with him/her". Comments about Davis getting a bloated salary and her administrators doing the same. Also, both school systems are under some sort of administrative oversight for poor performance, and the Decatur school system enrollment has dropped a lot - people going to private schools.
Some folks in Hickory seem mad at Cox for looking for another job so soon, but so far nothing of the other sort, except one person saying their friends who are teachers wouldn't mind seeing her go.
Culver has been "billed" as a "turn around" guy ... most people don't like "turn around guys." They come in and they don't make friends. They are going to hatchet away to make change. Change is difficult and the response isn't usually what people like. So I'm not sure I'm surprised they're glad to see him go.... I think that, in general, superintendents, aren't popular. You can't be a "good boss" and be popular... and well liked. That may have been CLew's "critical flaw" -- he wanted to be liked ... the super has to make tough decisions. (s)he needs to hire and fire and and to chop and refine and fine tune a budget. This is not supposed to be about friends and family. It's supposed to be about tough choices about what's best for kids. That's not the way to make friends with the underlings.
So where's the guy/gal from the big system that is really successful? Where's a Latino? Must be there somewhere....
I think that people focusing on how these people are "liked" in their community are way off base. It's not about them being liked. It's how are their school districts doing. How has the education that the children receive improved?
Worrying about whether someone is liked, is not how one makes their decisions on who to hire/fire. Decisions should be made on who can have the focus, drive, and determination to do what needs to be done in DCSS in the quickest amount of time for the sake of the children and the education that they receive.
I look at it this way. The teachers that I loathed, were the ones that I learned the most from-this is through hind sight, but at the time, I would have told you how horrible they are.
We need to stop looking at hear say and people's opinions, and stick to the facts. Who has done the most with what they had in the time that they have been there. Cox has been in her position the shortest amount of time. She doesn't stick in a position very long. What makes anyone think that if offered the job, she'll have the fortitude and wear with all to finish the job that she has done? If she is offered a job in DCSS, it should be for Beasley's position and that is it. She doesn't have enough experience to run DCSS. We need a chopper. A no hold bar guy, who puts the kids first, and from what I can see of Culver he is our man. Davis is another sorority gal, and we have enough of those in power in DCSS and don't need any more.
@12;21
"We need to stop looking at hear say and people's opinions, and stick to the facts."
Well said! Though facts may differ from person to person, we need to consider what attributes and qualities are important to us in supporting a particular candidate. We then need to let all Board members know along with our reasoning. If they are being as open as they indicated, they will give careful consideration to all points of view.
I reqalize what I was looking at may have been the product of resentment of the "turn around" guy, so I take the grain of salt approach. One thing the disturbed me about Davis:
when they were getting ready to build a new high school (remember, in Illinois), she and several staff members went to Arizona to look at a school for architectural ideas. Seems as if she could have gone to another midwestern state perhaps? What was it about this high school in Arizona? It was reported that it was built for energy efficiency, and a view of the mountains. Not many mountains in Illinois and energy efficiency is different in Arizona and Illinois. In addition, a local organization that had helped out in the schools (mentoring, after school programs, etc.) since the 1980s was reportedly given the cold shoulder when she came in and said so. Phone calls to her office were unreturned, and it turned out that the phone message line to her office was never monitored, and the mailbox filled up. Both indicate a disturbing attitude to me.
Little bit concerned that Davis might just be looking for a chance to have two hefty pensions. She can retire her current post with a nice pension. If she works in Georgia for 5 years she can get another one.
Retirement Pensions for Davis and Culver ...
It is very important that the DCSS BOE meet with the TRS to determine the financial liability to both if Davis or Culver is hired. Further, the BOE must be open about paying into TSA for Davis or Culver.
Davis / Culver would have to work at least 30 hours a week for 10 years for a GA school system or state education agency (that includes the Board of Regents, Georgia Public Broadcasting, the State BOE, the State Department of Education) or a combination of the two to be vested for retirement. However, retirement is based on the two highest years salary (i.e., DCSS Superintendent).
It is also possible that Davis/ Culver could transfer some of their current retirement funds to TRS and get around the 10 year requirement -- backing it down to 5 years.
Not only would it be possible for Davis/Culver -- both close to retirement -- to retire with two pensions, including a huge pension from TRS (look at Tyson's), but also with Social Security.
Depending on Davis/Culver's 10 highest years of salary while paying into Social Security, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) may not apply, if they earned enough during those years. Basically, the Windfall Elimination Provision applies only to the lowest paid workers -- those who would not have had much if anything to set aside for retirement after paying living expenses. This includes teachers as well as trailing spouses of highly paid corporate executives.
The BOE does NOT have financial planning knowledge. They MUST hire a financial planner (outside DCSS) who can look at all the moving parts and advise of financial liability (DCSS and/or TRS) if either Culver or Davis is hired. Too bad they did not do that when Tyson demanded her disgracefully greedy raise for doing -- and continuing to do -- nothing!
It takes 10 years in Georgia to be vested in TRS. And then you collect 20% of you salary - 2% for every year worked. This is totally a non issue. What made you think she would get a hefty pension? The superintendent will make a hefty salary but unless they've been in Georgia for the last 25 or 30 years, they will probably never collect a nickel - although he/she will pay almost 6% of his/her income into TRS.
They can pull what they put into TRS out if and when they leave and put it into an IRA.
This is what I did, when I worked in a state, but not long enough to be vested into the retirement program. At least I have the money if the pension plan goes belly up, and something is better than nothing.
Again, people of DeKalb are worrying about a superintendent's pension and not the qualities that he/she posses. This is why we are in the shape we are in. Stick with who has the qualifications for the job. Don't worry about their pension.
"They can pull what they put into TRS out if and when they leave and put it into an IRA"
Yes. You can roll it into an IRA, but you will not get any income from TRS. I'm not worried about TRS going "belly up". It's much sounder than other pensions in other states and than the counties and cities in Georgia.
My main concern is that the TEACHERS Retirement System serves more non-teachers than teachers. Since less than 10% of our teachers only make it to 30 years as teachers, that means that the swelling ranks of TRS employees must be non-teachers.
We value the least the only employees that can ensure our children master the content that will make them productive members of our society. The grade level and content area teachers comprise only 30% of the educational workforce, and those are the ONLY employees that are asked to be accountable. Yet they are the lowest on the totem pole and respected the least. This is a recipe for disaster for our students.
In an AJC article published online on March 30, each candidate was contacted for comments. Culver did not respond. Cox responded but only to say that the board asked the candidates not to make any public comments before Thursday's meeting. However, Davis said the following:
"I think that your philosophical beliefs and background are going to drive what you do."
"You have to amass it to a larger scale in a larger school system. But first and foremost is how you conduct business, how you engage people."
PAY ATTENTION PEOPLE!!!
Davis ignored the first order given to her by the board members.
Keep up the good work people!
We have a real reporter as a fan --
A Brief Look at Your Possible Future Superintendents
I just finished watching the entire public questioning event for the Superintendent candidates. My personal reaction after the question/answer event is so strong I'm having a very hard time understanding why there is much debate regarding the merits of the three.
Even if you attended the entire event, please use the link above in this thread and digest their presentations once again. Listen very carefully to what is being said by the candidates. Each of them tells us exactly what type of leader they are going to be by what they say, how they say it, and what they did not say.
Lord help me, I really think I'm the last sane person left in DeKalb County because I see only one candidate that I could enthusiastically support for the job.
I posted this on another blog, and I want to share it here to encourage the DCSS Board to use objective criteria when making this selection. Politics have gotten us where we are today.
Put the numbers to it when you hire a superintendent. I did a matrix and rated the candidates on (1) education, (2) experience, (3) improvement of academic achievement, (4) longevity in positions, and (5) experience with contentious situations. These are things that you can measure, not what we have heard or “feel”. On a 1-3 scale, with 3 being the highest, the results are:
Davis 2, 2, 1,2,2 Total =9
Culver 2, 3 3.3,3 Total =14
Cox 3, 2, 3,1,1 Total =10
Culver is the only candidate with 12 years experience as a superintendent and area superintendent in a large district. He has improved academic achievement, and he battled the odds to complete a monster consent decree. His local blogs are divided on him, which you would expect for someone who tackled that job. Being there 9 years says a lot. I would have liked a doctorate, but a proven track record is more important. He also seems very stable and practical.
Not sure how Davis made the cut for an interview. Her current stats are not that good, and I don't think she has ever been in a large system.
Cox seems like an up and comer, but she is not ready for prime time. As clearly as I can tell, she never stays anywhere over two years. I gave her a 2 for academic achievement, but not sure how much impact she has in such a short time. I liked her in the forum, but she has not battled any major issues, which means she is not ready for DCSS. The comments in NC are pretty kind to her, but she hasn’t been there long enough or done enough to make anybody mad,I may also be influenced because I know someone at U of I who told me that Culver supports outstanding gifted programs and enrichment for smart kids. But the Board could check that out, too. Is the Board going to visit the district where their pick currently works? Could find out a lot that way.
@ 8:39 I agree. Cox could be hired to replace Beasley and that is the job that I would offer her to see if she would stick around. Can't afford to have someone cut and run in a year or two.
Culver seems like he will do the job and have the kids' best interest at heart.
Davis- god help us if she is chosen. We'll have more of the same.
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Check out the new article in the AJC highlighting some research on the candidates --
Candidates for DeKalb school chief have mixed results with minority students
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