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Even if a school system has a "leading contender" for superintendent among its own personnel, its still a good idea to, A) conduct a nationwide search (just in case "leading" turns out not to be "best" and, B) do everything in public. But apparently they don't feel that way in Muncie:

The Muncie Community School Board's decision to forgo community outreach and a public search for its new superintendent is legal, but there are differing opinions on whether it's the best approach.

[. . .]

Board members Beverly Kelley and Michael Long said money did not play a role in their decision to forego a formal process and hire Assistant Superintendent Tim Heller.

But, both said, the main reason was all the board members felt they had the right candidate already within the school district.

Emmert said this makes sense.

"Why waste money on a search if the board members are confident in someone they already know?" he said.

That was roughly the situation here when FWCS hired Wendy Robinson from within for the superitendent's job. Board members thought they had the best person, so they didn't do much in the way of looking outside the district or getting the public involved. She was interviewed by board members in private. They said what subjects were covered and assured us that she responded splendidly and won strong board support. But those of us outside the process had to take their word on everything -- there was no way for us to really know. I think that got Robinson off on the wrong foot, with more distrust from the public than there would have been with a little more transparency and accessibility.

Comments

Harl Delos
Wed, 04/06/2011 - 9:35pm

Brides marry the groom, not the best man - and it mostly works that way in employment as well. Most of the time, there are a number of people who appear competent to do the job - and the best man for the job is the one, from among the competent applicants, the one who best fits in with the organization.

Without commenting specifically on Robinson's case, when there is distrust with the public, it's generally because someone is sowing distrust. You don't give veto power to those who will be supervised - but it's a good idea to have them involved in the interview process, and to listen to what they have to say. If subordinates don't buy into the hire,

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