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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Internal, Local, or National

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Internal, Local, or National:


Internal, Local, or National

Where should we look for our next superintendent? Internally? Locally? Regionally? Nationally?

Who's available? Do we want them? Would they want the job?


Internally? I don't think so. Not that it isn't, generally, a good idea, but no one in the District Leadership looks ready, willing, and able. There's a real shortage of experienced education executives. Just moving down the org chart we find Noel Treat. Folks like him, respect him, and  generally think he's honest, but he has about a year of experience in education and hasn't demonstrated executive skills. Holly Ferguson has ten years with the District and knows her way around, but I don't think she would want the job. I doubt she wants the trouble; she has enough. She's also short (possibly negative) on public popularity. Ron English also has the experience but he has some pretty bad political skeletons in his closet - and maybe some real ones. Anyone notice that all three of them are lawyers? I don't think this is a job for a lawyer. Robert Boushe would be a great choice, but the man was pulled out of retirement and is already overdue to return. We have abused his good nature too much