The search will begin for a new Superintendent for Toledo Public Schools…
The Toledo Public School Board had offered current Superintendent John Foley a one year contract. This morning he announced he was not interested in accepting the one year contract, this means he will resign at the end of his contract, which expires July 31, 2010. Foley is the 28th Superintendent of the Toledo Public Schools, he became the Chief of Staff of the district August 2005. His contract for Superintendent began in May of 2007. The last search created quite a bit of controversy, William Harner was initially offered the position, after Eugene Sanders left the district, a disagreement over residency requirements led to his decision to not accept the position. It was then that Foley, who was the acting Superintendent was offered the position. A professional search company was hired previously, all we can do at this point is speculate as to how the current Toledo Public School Board will proceed from here, as far as will they again hire a search firm such as Proact Search Inc., or another firm, or promote from within.
John Foley’s bio on TPS.
Lisa Renee, do you know why they only
November 30th, 2009 at 11:17 amoffered him a 1 year contract instead
of a longer contract??
Nothing beyond what was reported by the Blade when the one year contract extension was announced a few days ago.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:30 amI know he originally wanted a two year contract, so I don’t know at this point if the decision to only offer him a one year extension was a factor. I can speculate, but he hasn’t publicly spoken about that as far as I am aware at this point.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:33 amInteresting post on Swampbubbles in regards to a possible candidate for Superintendent with ideas on how to improve the inner city public school issues that we are having in Toledo.She is from Toledo and her name is Michelle Rhee,DC. http:www.newsweek.com/id/154901
This was a very interesting read and I love some of her ideas on how to deal with the teachers union.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:36 amIt’s probably a bit early to try to identify a candidate, at this point they have to decide if they are going to hire a search firm, and if so, which one. Then that whole process begins before they even start interviewing.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:39 amSure hope that the search goes and is done in a better way this time.
Problem with all the news different times in the media and economy of Toledo there are probably good candidates will not even apply for the
November 30th, 2009 at 11:40 amposition.
It is also possible that this announcement by Foley is a negotiating tactic to try to force the two year contract. Because I don’t see anywhere that he’s actually tendered a resignation, which is what a person would do if they intended to resign.
November 30th, 2009 at 12:33 pmChannel 13 reporting that Foley HAS resigned…
November 30th, 2009 at 12:53 pmI wonder how much money TPS is going to throw out on a search for the next superintendent.
November 30th, 2009 at 4:52 pmMissdeejay
November 30th, 2009 at 6:29 pmI have read quite a bit about Michelle Rhee. She is going forward in DC. I would be very surprized if the general population of Toledo would/could support her. She truly has her sights set on what is good for the students and doesn’t pander to any special interest groups. This little burg of ours isn’t really ready for a dynamic leader that would shake things up and move them forward. She has pretty much upset everyone’s applecart not just some of them. That’s probably what it takes to actually make change. She would last about a New York minute until people understood that their particular dysfunctional POV was not being supported.
In the future you can refer to the superintendent’s office and the school board as the TFT/tps (lower case) board. Foley’s office was the last obstacle to a complete takeover of the Toledo school system. With the defeat of Wilkowski__ which would have given TFT a major voice on city council since many on his campaign were puppets to TFT with a hidden agenda that undermined his run for mayor even though he was told that this was going on. Now that they have gotten rid of Darlene Fisher, it is full steam ahead with the handpicked school board. With no fresh ideas; no communication with the various school advocacy groups; no transparency; no concerns about oversight committees; (Those hand picked to represent the Scott Oversight Committee are not even showing up for meetings) and no members independent of the TFT…it is what it will be. I have spoken to many parents, groups city government offices, minority contractors,civic groups and from advocacy groups and churches that are showing how difficult it is to work with tps. There are numerous groups that are expressing that they can not get a call from the school board when they have issues to discuss. The problem is that when they want to make one group that asks all of the questions the bad guy, they have a social network of friends that deflect all criticism from them. They have mastered this social network and utilize it every election. When running for election or to pass a levy the mantra is “ Toledo is making progress so vote for these supported candidates to continue this trend.” But after the election the mantra by the TFT head is that “we need another super because we are just running in place.” And while they like to say that Toledo really lost out when the Sanders staff left for Cleveland , according to this article we did not.
“Cleveland, OH (blackstar1000@ameritech.net)
With a high school graduation rate of 34%, the city of Cleveland has among the lowest graduation rates in the country-this according to the America’s Promise Alliance. In the most recent annual report filed by Cleveland’s Juvenile Division of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, a total of 11,254 “Delinquency and Unruly” cases were filed.”
I could see the handwriting on the wall for Foley and told him as much concerning the treatment of those caught in the power struggle. I thought he would be able to see this and stand tall with those not in favor with the TFT/tps leadership. I was hoping that he would be able to see how they use people hoping that he would be able to take a stand for the parent, advocacy groups and others that only want a school system that works.
Michelle Rhee would run into a buzz saw if she tried to confront this powerful structure here in Toledo that only strives to keep the same people in office that got us into these problems. Their election and re-election becomes more important than the job they were first elected to do. They put on one dress and make-up to woe the public and then put on another dress and sinister mascara after they are in. You can not even recognize that they are one in the same after the election is over. Although Foley went along on many occasions it was still not enough. Now that they have the complete power to select a new super, do you think for one minute that he will not be beholden more to the TFT head than to the school system? The tps board is now bought and paid for by the TFT. If you don’t believe this…wanna buy a bridge to no where?
November 30th, 2009 at 7:03 pmWW,
I definitely agree as a TeachForAmerica alum that Michele would implement change, but as a Toledoan I know for a fact she is not a good fit. I barely can get an email through or returned by decision makers on new policies for education in Toledo. It is a shame that we do not recruit talented people. I am a graduate student (near Toledo) I find it very abrasive to new ideas and people who can implement them.
November 30th, 2009 at 7:39 pmSeriously, with a new Board, teachers contracts approaching ,now a search for a superintendent- Our School Board will be a “Circus”! (sorry Bob, Brenda and Lisa, but seriously we know what is in store!!!)
I know it cost too much last time (2006) and they ended up hiring John Foley….I am an advocate for John Foley and am so disappointed of this news. I respect all Foley has done in the district, his understanding and empathy to the diversity of our community and families TPS serves. Also, his commitment and knowledge to special education.
Only time will tell!
November 30th, 2009 at 8:17 pmHuge loss for the community! Looks like the union wins again which is very bad for the school district.
November 30th, 2009 at 8:30 pmSO:
You “ALL” are telling me that this situation for TPS is so bad that it is hopeless.???!!! THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.
November 30th, 2009 at 8:37 pmI don’t think it’s hopeless, I just thing it’s too eary to start naming candidates.
November 30th, 2009 at 8:40 pm(The selection of a new super will now take on a whole new selection process and can only be successful if he/she has strong principals. The article below shows some of the methods that should be used to select a school principal. We have weak principals that are controlled__ if they even exist__ by the TFT. We need a principal in the urban district free of the restraints of TFT control, one who is more concerned with the school than with the unions power. Just imagine what would happen here in Toledo if these guidelines for the selection of a principal were followed instead of letting the TFT select the principal. The TFT picks the school board, the Superintendent, the teachers and the principals in Toledo. It is truly a “Fifth Estate.”
—————————————-
Improved Principal Hiring
The New Teacher Project’s Findings and
Recommendations for Urban Schools Assessments
Complete pdf can be read here
Interview Questions that Tap into Candidates’ True Competencies
“There is but one requirement here in Toledo…compliance with TFT.”
December 1st, 2009 at 12:59 amWe have yet to say ‘Enough is Enough” And the band played on!
With the structure of our city govt, what input will our new Mayor have in the selection of a new school Supt. for TPS. Or have we turned that over to the President of the TFT TOO?
I viewed the interview with Michelle Rhee on the Charlie Rose Show, “I LIKE HER IDEAS”.
“WHAT SAY YOU “ALL”
December 1st, 2009 at 9:07 amThe Mayor of Toledo will have no input on the selection of a Superintendent for TPS, that’s not his job. It’s too early to speculate and for those pushing Rhee? She has not expressed an interest, they have not even begun interviewing and naming a candidate now before people have even been identified is not something I’d recommend.
I personally can’t imagine her leaving what she is trying to accomplish there to come here.
Setting up the expectation of a certain person for the job not even knowing who is going to apply to me seems counter productive.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:25 amLisaRenee,
I totally agree with that assessment. Rhee will not…let me repeat will not leave DC for Toledo. Her pay is twice as much as Foley’s, her resources and control over her district is extraordinary due to the political situation in which the DC Mayor is the CEO of the school system. She went to Maumee Valley Country Day School so she is generally not connected to the situation here in TPS.
WW,
the New Teachers Project, the New Leaders for New Schools, and TeachForAmerica are great programs that bring in energy into a school district. Unfortunately those programs can not be implemented in Toledo for numerous reasons including
December 1st, 2009 at 9:47 am1. Ohio Certification for Teachers and Principals
2. Lack of job entry in our district
3. high cost of housing and living in comparison to teacher salary. (I taught in Chicago (scott high school graduate) through TeachForAmerica and made CPS starting salary which is 12k more than TPS salary and housing was not that much more expensive.
4. Leaders with lack of courage to have programs that are like that.
5. Lack of fundraising potential for these organizations. These are non-profits that require staff and expenses due to extra teacher support.
Thanks Maroon, when they get to the point they are talking about actual candidates, I look forward to your opinion on those who are interested enough to apply.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:50 amI am not trying to pick a candidate for Supt.I am trying to learn how this process works and what can a everyday Toledoan do to enhance the process, it seems to me that fresh ideas are needed and that is my only point in bringing M.R’s name and view points to the discussion.
IF ANYONE has any new and inovative ways and ideas on this subject I am hungry to hear them. So far I haven’t heard anything accept what is wrong or what obstacles prevent TPS students a first class education.
After all this is the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave with Equal Opportunity for all children regardless of Skin Color and or Zip Code.
M.R. said [not a quote] She wanted all Kids to feel that it is “About You, You are not dumb.” Kids need inspiration and encouragement from the school system as well. Is this the attitude of TPS and the Community of Toledo.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:46 amMaroon Tiger #20 (Scott high school graduate)
What year? Once a Bulldog…..
I did not even begin to believe that many of the New teachers Project would be allowed to work here in Toledo under the present union power structure. It was just wistful thinking of what should be done to aid in finding strong principals. And as far as speculations on who will be picked to succeed Foley, that is all the input the public can make as the TFT has put in place all of the power mechanism to do and influence the finale selection. When they voted for Hill and Vasquez it ended for anyone with a real non-social view of who should be on the board. We are all now just spectators to the selection and if there are those that feel that we should not vent and speculate on this issue then I need to see the “non-speculation rules” as we speculate on blogs on all subjects (check the speculation history on GCJ)
Michelle is not even considering Toledo if she is even aware of the TPS mess. And I agree, why leave a place like D.C. for less money, a more powerful union and a passive people that picks who they are told to pick or who they like socially.
Pure speculation: TFT will pick the next super and the tps (lower case in proportion to their power) will agree.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:52 amMaroon Tiger
Thanks for that explanation on why New Teachers Project,New Leaders for New Schools and Teach for America will not work in Toledo. Can we use these models to come up with one that will work? JUST ASKING.
IMHO #4 and #5 should be #1 and #2.
I am sure that Ms.Rhee wants to finish what she has started in D.C. I wish her nothing but the best.D.C. needs it and so do we.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:01 pmWW #23
An article in the Toledo Blade on Nov.5,2009 re- elected BOE member Mr. Bob Vasquez, who was the top vote-getter, said he wants to create a labor-management committee to team the unions and administration to make decisions with the board. He said “I believe the people on the front lines, our teachers and principals, have a lot to offer to help make the best decisions.”
BEST DECISIONS FOR WHO? THE STUDENTS? OR THE administration/union.[lower case for both of them]
December 1st, 2009 at 12:59 pmMsDJ,
I agree with you 100%. The problem is that the Adults tend to make decisions for themselves with the children seeing the effects of these. Unions act in the benefits as is their mission. Management supposedly acts in the benefit of learning, but typically creates structures to support their agendas and having a job.
December 1st, 2009 at 1:10 pmThe teachers unions have way too much power! Period. They don’t even think of the kids when they make decisions.
December 1st, 2009 at 2:36 pmIt seems that Toledo is “drawn” to the same strategies over and over again. Albert E. once said “repeating the same actions, and expecting different results is insanity”. A lot of rhetoric is expended fighting the same old battles in the same old way, nothing seems to change? I noticed a while back that UT tried something different with their college of education. They put a person in charge from outside of the system. How is that working? Maybe something totally new is in order for the public school system?
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:46 am