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Highlands Today

School Superintendent

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John Dyce

Published: November 29, 2007

When faced with a major decision, learning how others decided is valuable input that can often save a lot of time and effort. For example, I believe I read that over 5,000 communities wrestled with whether its school superintendent should continue as an elected position and only 30 (.04 percent) determined that it should. To me, that means that absent some unusual circumstances unique to this community, Highlands County will not be number 31.

Those overwhelming numbers aside, decisions of this nature include envisioning the worst case scenario and the chance of that happening. In this instance, that means the high probability of someday having to choose between two unqualified political candidates. Since having someone who is in over his or her head at the helm of this crucial position would be disastrous, I am bewildered that so far there is only one solid vote to change the selection method and that the majority of the school board is still pondering the question.

The indecision seems connected to feelings about the current superintendent's performance and future, which are not germane to the issue. From what I've read in Highlands Today, this initiative does not appear to be aimed at the incumbent; it is conceptual rather than personal.

Perhaps concern about who will recruit and select the superintendent is also delaying the decision. Hiring the school superintendent is not something school board members signed on to do and perhaps they lack the specialized expertise needed to select a high level administrator. It would be both unfair and unproductive to saddle them with that responsibility. What makes sense to me is to have a search committee comprised of the county manager, county HR director and either the entire school board or a designated member(s).

If the final decision is to be made by the voters, they will take direction from the school board's deliberations. A fast and unanimous decision from the board would send a clear message to the electorate that it is time for a change.

John Dyce
Lorida

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