Tuesday, February 27, 2007

WHAT Was the QUESTION.....in the First Place?

Detroit Free Press

Schools may restart search

More choices for a boss in Detroit sought

Nearly half the members of the Detroit school board said Monday they want to restart the search for a new superintendent, a move that could drag the process beyond summer.

The contract for Superintendent William F. Coleman III expires June 30, but five board members said they would vote in favor of a new or expanded search.

Three board members said they did not want to start over, while three could not be reached Monday night.

A search committee is expected to recommend either Coleman, Connie Calloway, superintendent of the 5,700-student district in Normandy, Mo., or Doris Hope-Jackson, school board vice president of the 1,300-student district in Harvey, Ill., to lead Detroit Public Schools. The full board could vote next week on the recommendation.

Some board members said the finalists should remain under consideration while the district looks for candidates who have experience in large, troubled districts. Others worried that the current candidates do not have the community support they would need to be successful.

A rally is planned for 6 tonight at the Northwest Activities Center on the west side to drum up support for a new search.

Board member Tyrone Winfrey said Monday the committee stands by the search process. "I think in these three people we have one who will be able to lead this district," Winfrey said.

Board member Jonathan Kinloch said a new search might not woo away a person leading a large district.

Education writer Peggy Walsh-Sarnecki contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2007 Detroit Free Press Inc.

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