Applicant says she still wants job

Murphy said she was told she met 17 of 18 criteria.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A Woodrow Wilson High School English teacher who applied for the Youngstown superintendent job but was deemed not qualified by a consultant says she deserves another chance.
Diane T. Murphy said a consultant hired by the board of education told her she met 17 of 18 criteria, but failed in one area: She has not served as a supervisor over a lower supervisory position.
Current Superintendent Benjamin L. McGee will leave at the end of this school year to pursue a doctoral degree. Board members are considering a search to replace him.
"I adore Youngstown city kids, and I've trained for this all my life," Murphy said. "I think the world of Ben McGee and realize he will be a tough act to follow, but I think I am up to the challenge."
Internal applicants
District spokesman M. Mike McNair said Murphy and Assistant Superintendent Wendy Webb were the only two internal applicants for the position. He said Webb was the only internal applicant to meet criteria created by Marvin Edwards of Hazard, Young Attea & amp; Associates Ltd.
Among the criteria is "experience as a superintendent in an urban setting with a diverse multicultural clientele including students, parents and the community." Neither Webb nor Murphy has served as a superintendent.
Murphy said she has been working toward the goal of becoming an urban superintendent all her life. Although she contends she is the best person for the job, at the same time she agrees with board members who seek to open the position to a national search.
"There are fine people who want a shot at this job and we'll never find them without a national search," she said.