Who might head L.A. Unified, and what are officials looking for in a leader?
its search for a new superintendent, the Los Angeles Board of Education is out to find that rare leader who can tame political turmoil, manage a multibillion-dollar organization and somehow drive academic achievement upward.
But what type of person would that be? And who would want a job that presents almost insurmountable challenges?
If the board is seeking an educator with big-city experience, they are likely to look at the school chiefs in Miami, Alberto Carvalho, and in San Francisco, Richard Carranza. Both have generally strong track records and also are regarded as leaders among other superintendents.
If they are looking for an insider, Michelle King, the No. 2 person in L.A. Unified, would seem a viable option.
Within Southern California, the sizable Long Beach school district has racked up accolades compared with its larger neighbor to the north — so that could be a place to look even though its leader, Christopher Steinhauser, has shunned entreaties in the past.
Then there are the those who promote aggressive change — inside or outside traditional public schools. John King, who was selected recently to become the acting U.S. secretary of education, had been seen as a possible L.A. Unified leader for the way he pushed controversial reforms through the state of New York.
The board has hired a search firm to find candidates to replace current Supt. Ramon C. Cortines, 83, who came out of retirement a year ago when former Supt. John Deasy resigned under pressure. Cortines has said he would like to leave by the end of the year.
Los Angeles Unified, the nation's second-largest school system, is widely viewed as a management minefield. The district leader reports to seven elected board members, with differing politics and priorities. The superintendent runs a $12.6-billion entity, develops and carries out policies, and negotiates contracts with employee unions — all the while confronting lagging academic achievement and declining enrollment.
"I'm worried that no one smart enough to do the job would be crazy enough to take it," said attorney Virgil Roberts, a veteran of the battles over education in Los Angeles. "A true visionary could find an easier path to getting things done and making a difference elsewhere. And few educators, even if they are willing, have the necessary political skills."
L.A. Unified has hired unconventional superintendents in the recent past. Former Colorado Gov. Roy Romer had little education experience but won high marks for his political skills and marshaling the district's massive school building program. Navy admiral David Brewer had a mixed record, with some saying he couldn't manage the politics inside or outside the school system.
It isn't clear which of the people whose names are being circulated would want the job. Recruiting is going on behind closed doors in an attempt to yield the best pool of candidates. At last week's school board meeting, board member Monica Ratliff proposed making the finalists public, but her effort failed.
Several qualities could give a candidate an advantage. It may help to belong to an ethnic minority — reflecting the district's majority Latino student enrollment, for example. The district is 74% Latino, 10% white, 8% black and 4% Asian.
A woman also could have an advantage, given that a woman has not led L.A.'s schools since 1929.
Experience in an urban district would help, especially if students in that system have performed well or at least made strong gains.
Political skills are a must, given that competing factions are clashing over the direction of the district. Deasy maintained support from local philanthropists and civic leaders, but lost the trust of the school board and the goodwill of many teachers and other employees. Simmering antipathy toward Deasy still was evident among district staff who took part this week in public forums that were held to collect input about the qualities desired in the next leader.
The search comes at a pivotal moment for the district. A plan spearheaded by philanthropist Eli Broad would move half of district students into independently run charter schools over the next eight years. The teachers union and other critics are opposed, saying it would devastate the district's other schools.
"I really hope … that we find a common-ground candidate," said Elise Buik, chief executive of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, who has been at odds with the teachers union over some issues.
Buik remains a fan of Deasy, who pressed for an agenda that included using student test scores as a factor in evaluating teachers and limiting traditional teacher job protections.
In Long Beach, Steinhauser has avoided alienating either teachers or civic leaders. Who might head L.A. Unified, and what are officials looking for in a leader? - LA Times:
