[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: A Revolting Development in St. Paul Schools

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
A Revolting Development in St. Paul Schools
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1246368586.shtml


   People my age and beyond may remember Chester E. Riley saying "What a
   revoltin' development this is!" That might be said of the
   Superintendent situation in the St. Paul Public Schools.
   You may remember that Superintendent Meria Carstarphen resigned to
   head the Austin, Texas school district. Sometimes, a new
   Superintendent can be hired in time to take over when the incumbent
   leaves, as in the Robbinsdale Area Schools. If not, standard procedure
   is to name an interim Superintendent to run the District until a new
   Superintendent is selected, signed, and takes the oath. Sometimes,
   that interim choice becomes the final choice, as in District 11,
   Anoka-Hennepin.
   In St. Paul, the School Board named Suzanne Kelly its interim
   Superintendent, effective tomorrow, July 1. But there's a problem,
   [1]as reported in the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

     [The] Minnesota Board of School Administrators, which is in charge
     of licensing superintendents, refused to give Kelly the necessary
     clearance, saying she lacked proper credentials. The district
     appealed, and the matter is set to be decided at the board's Aug.
     20 meeting.
     Until then, neither the School Administrators Board nor the
     Minnesota Department of Education believes it can take action, they
     said Monday.

   Some of us believe that this particular School Board isn't exactly
   known for making great decisions. But it's still their decision to
   make, nonetheless, and they've made one, passing over the usual
   suspects to put someone familiar with the District in charge during
   the interim, not some outsider who will necessarily do little more
   than notarize day to day documents. What's wrong with this?
   Well, she's not a member of the Lodge. Kelly has relevant experience
   in three Districts, including St. Paul, where she has the full faith
   of the Board. She is not seeking the permanent position. But she lacks
   credentials, don't you know?

     "She is not licensed, so there would be a question of the legality
     of any legal document she signed," said Judith Lamp, executive
     director of the School Administrators Board.
     [...]
     "I can't recall one [case] where the variance was denied and they
     continued on," Lamp added. "In my two and a half years here I do
     not know a district that has gone without a superintendent."

   And that's the danger, isn't it? We might find that all those
   high-falutin' licensing requirements aren't quite as necessary or
   valuable after all. What a revoltin' development that would be!
   The St. Paul Board has more faith in Kelly's demonstrated experience,
   dare I say results than in some pedigreed stranger's unknown
   potential. The State agencies have ruled, but St. Paul is standing
   firm behind their choice. Bravo!

References

   1. http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/49468137.html