Glass City Jungle

Thanks to Steven Flagg and his post over on Toledo Talk the list.

Starting with Craig Bangston who is a candidate for a similar position in the Pulaski County Special School District in Arkansas:

Dr. Craig Bangston of Leitchfield, Ky., a former superintendent with both the Grayson County (Ga.) and Bartow County (Ga.) School Districts. Bangston has more than 30 years of education experience. He holds a doctorate in finance and business administration from Columbia Pacific University and a doctor of education degree in curriculum and finance from Texas A&M University. He also holds a master’s of science degree in elementary administration and elementary education and bachelor’s of science degree in physical education, special education and coaching, both from Bemidji (Minn.) State University.

He also is the author of a very interesting article that focuses on:

Have you ever encountered a school board member who was belligerent, talked too much and had solutions for all the problems of the district or a board member who refused to read the board policy manual, discussed executive session matters with constituents or back stabbed a fellow board member?

He’s also a candidate for a job in Florida.

Debra Brathwaite who is the current Deputy Superintendent at Dayton Public Schools is next, with this:

An educator with 33 years of experience, Brathwaite came to Dayton Public Schools as deputy superintendent and chief academic officer in May 2003. A strong proponent of the benefits of single-gender education, Brathwaite was instrumental in starting the Charity Adams Earley Academy for Girls and the Dayton Boys Prep Academy. She oversees several departments, including curriculum and instruction, pupil services, special education, assessment and accountability, professional development, state and federal programs, information services, and grants development.

Prior to coming to Dayton, Brathwaite began her career in her native New York, working in the school system as a curriculum writer, staff developer, elementary school principal and deputy superintendent. She also taught undergraduates at Medgar Evers College of the City of New York as an adjunct professor in the education department for 12 years.

In addition, Brathwaite was an associate superintendent and academic supervisor with the Cleveland Municipal School District.

Brathwaite is a graduate of Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and holds a Bachelor of Arts in education, a Master of Science in education with a concentration in reading, and a Professional Diploma in administration and supervision of education.

John Foley is of course our current interim Superintendent…information on him can be found here

Luis B. Gonzalez who is the Superintendent of Mathis Idependent School District, not much information was found except from their website.

Same with Michael Harding, there is this from the Michigan City School website and this article from the local newspaper on December 6, 2006 that doesn’t appear promising:

In a 5-2 vote, the Michigan City Area Schools board renewed the superintendent’s contract Tuesday night, extending it until June 30, 2009.

With board members James Kintzele and Clyde Zeek voting against the contract, the board raised the salary of Superintendent Michael Harding from $111,500 to $118,554 per year retroactive to July 1.

“Education is hard,” the superintendent, who is responsible for about 1,100 employees, told the board. “But the positives far outweigh the negatives.”

This raise is the first Harding has received since coming to Michigan City in July 2004, board member Jeff Jones said.

Marlene Kennedy Mills in her online information shows she was a former Toledo Public School Principal at Fulton Elementary as well as a teacher in TPS and OLPH as well as other teaching/administrative positions before moving up to Mason Consolidated Schools.

John O’Sullivan – form lists he is the former Superintendent of Maple Grove MN, this states as updated on Updated 12/7/06:

Osseo School District, Osseo, MN
Appointed John O’Sullivan, Savannah, GA

Then this from the local MN paper from June of 2006:

When the board agreed to hire O’Sullivan, it was on a 4-2 vote, with board members John Nelson and Kim Green vocally opposed to his selection.

Conversely, all six board members were clear supporters of Hintz’s candidacy, with all of them speaking during last week’s meeting of her positive qualities.

“There are few districts like ours,” said Lin Myszkowski, board member. “Most people would not be up to the challenge. I think it is a gift to us that our next leader is from within our midst.”

O’Sullivan was selected at a Saturday meeting, with few members of the public present, while Hintz had a nearly full board room of supporters last week, including members of Brooklyn Park’s African American Action Committee and many of the district’s building principals.

Then this which is not very positive:

John O’Sullivan. A former Air Force colonel, he was superintendent in Savannah, Ga., from 2001 to 2004 and in Osesso, Minn., from 2004 to 2005. O’Sullivan was bought out early by the school board both times. In Savannah, he was bought out 20 months early. Went on to Osesso, Minn., in 2005 where he was again bought out, this time a year early. In both cases, board members complained about his brusque style.

Last but not least, another candidate who took his position as Superintendent not that long ago with Canton Schools, Stephen Stohla he took the job with Canton in 2004. He’s also a candidate for the same job in Florida that Craig L. Bangston applied for.

And there you have it – a brief summary of what information is available online about these candidates.