A group of three Arlington school board members is set to begin gathering proposals from "potential superintendent search consultants," according to a press release the district issued early Wednesday evening.
The board, which met in a closed session Tuesday night, hasn't decided yet whether it will actually hire a firm to look for a permanent superintendent. A vote on that decision will come at a later date, the statement said.
Hector Montenegro, Arlington's former superintendent, left in July, after questions came up about his financial involvements with nonprofits that did business with the district. He was on the job about six months. Montenegro's hiring followed the retirement of longtime Arlington Superintendent Mac Bernd. The district paid a search consultant $27,269.14 last year to help find Montenegro.
Earlier this week, trustee Wayne Ogle (left) said he didn't believe the district should conduct another national search. He thinks trustees would do just fine hiring from within the district's own administrators.
Ogle's not on the committee gathering information about consultants. Board president Jim Ash, board secretary Gloria Peña and member Peter Baron are.
...what is wrong with AISD trustees? Are they not aware of the exceptional job Jerry McCullough has done in the past few months to repair the damage done by the former superintendent? He has brought integrity,motivation, calmness & much more to the district during this upheaval time we have endured and has been there to listen with open doors at any time.
Perhaps, he does not bring the "glitz & glitter" that the board seems to want recognition for....(they should have gotten their quota with Mr. Montenegro).
Personally, I think the board needs to step up and say "they " failed us and to apologize for the fiasco we were put through for several months.
The fact that the board is even contemplating searching for a new superintendent is appalling to me and to expect the people of Arlington to pay for this recruiting firm is unbelievable....their track record is not too good !...not to mention the fact our budget is in shambles.
Please join me in an effort to keep Mr. McCullough at the helm of this district.
A McCullough Backer
and AISD Employee
Posted by: Anne Pearson | October 31, 2008 at 07:53 AM
Looking nationally for a new superintendent is a bad idea.
Posted by: AISD Counselor | October 31, 2008 at 01:49 PM
There is no one out there more qualified for the job than Jerry McCullough. The board should not waste AISD funds searching for a superintendent. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results.
Posted by: AISD Employee | October 31, 2008 at 01:51 PM