Applicant says she still wants top job

Murphy said she was told she met 17 of 18 criteria.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Diane T. Murphy unfolds white tissue paper to uncover a braided bracelet affixed with a transparent plastic star.
It stands for hope, says the Wilson High School English teacher.
Next, she holds up an ornament of silver wire and clear prisms. This, she said, is a reminder that all pupils should be treated as if they are as valuable as a fine crystal.
Third comes a crocheted angel with praying arms -- to show that educators are the guardians of youngsters during the school day.
Finally, Murphy presents another angel, this one silver, in flight and embracing an infant; "Where there is great love there are always miracles -- Willa Cather," is etched on this angel's wing.
Murphy uses the items to say that she is devoted to the pupils in the Youngstown city schools. She hopes the devotion will propel her to a position as the district's superintendent.
Failed to meet one criterion
Murphy, who has applied for the spot, said a consultant hired by the board of education did not recommend her for hiring. She said the consultant 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.
"If this school board picks the wrong person, it's the children who will suffer," Murphy said.
"I adore Youngstown city kids, and I've trained for this all my life. 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."
District spokesman M. Mike McNair said Murphy and Assistant Superintendent Wendy Webb were the only two internal applicants for the position. Webb was the only internal applicant to meet criteria created by Marvin Edwards of Hazard, Young Attea & amp; Associates Ltd. The Illinois firm is conducting a search for the board for $19,000 plus expenses.
The board will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday to consider appointing Webb to the position.
Never superintendent
However, among the criteria is "experience as a superintendent in an urban setting with a diverse multicultural clientele including students, parents and the community," according to information from the board.
Neither Webb nor Murphy has served as a superintendent.
Webb has been assistant superintendent since 1998, and was previously interim assistant superintendent, both director and supervisor of instruction, coordinator of library and information services, curriculum specialist for the library and a high school librarian.
Murphy has been a teacher in the district since 1986, serving a stint as supervisor of staff development from 1999 to 2001 and as an assistant principal in the summers of 1999 and 2000.
She is on medical leave and hopes to return to class in about three weeks.
Murphy has received both bachelor's and master's degrees from Youngstown State University. She has certificates to serve as a middle or high school principal and has completed course work for a superintendent's certificate.
Webb holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Kent State University and has completed the required work for a doctoral degree in educational leadership.
Webb was at an Ohio School Boards Association conference in Columbus on Tuesday and could not be reached. She had declined to comment on the search previously.
Lifelong goal
Murphy said she has been working toward the goal of becoming an urban superintendent all her life, since the days when she grew up in a poorer Boardman neighborhood receiving a solid education and encouragement from a father who wanted her to obtain a college education.
While Murphy 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. ... Children don't have a voice and they don't have a choice," she said. "If we don't do right by them then it's on us."