Board unites for national supt. search

By HAROLD GWIN

gwin@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Wendy Webb’s announced retirement as superintendent of the Youngstown schools might still be fresh in everyone’s mind, but the majority of the city school board members already agrees on what must be done to find her successor.

They want to conduct a national search to find someone with successful urban school administrative experience to help turn the city school district around, both financially and academically.

The state has placed the Youngstown schools in both financial and academic emergency.

Much progress has been made in economic recovery as the district has cut $32 million in spending over the last three years and appears to be well on its way to returning to solvency.

The district recently enacted a five-year strategic academic plan designed to improve student achievement, and a state-appointed Academic Distress Commission is working on an academic recovery plan that is due by the end of June. The district’s strategic plan is being used as a basis for the state commission’s plan.

The board will meet in special session at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Irene L. Ward Building to map out a search plan.

Webb, in announcing that, with financial recovery under way and a new strategic plan in place, now is a good time for her to leave the post she’s held since 2004. She will retire as of Jan. 1, 2011.

“It’s a perfect transition for a fresh start,” she said.

Anthony Catale, school board president, said he agrees with her.

“This is a good time to move on,” he said.

“I think Dr. Webb has brought extreme passion and enthusiasm to her job every day,” he said, noting the district has turned around financially but that its academic standing is “still unacceptable.”

A new leader could bring new motivation, he said, suggesting a national search for a new superintendent might be the best move.

Catale said he’d like to have a new person in place by the start of school this August to work with Webb to ensure a smooth transition.

Board members Andrea Mahone, Lock P. Beachum Sr., Michael Murphy, Richard Atkinson and Rachel Hanni support a national search.

“I believe we need someone from the outside,” Mahone said, suggesting that would be a good way to avoid any local politics. However, it could be difficult to find someone at the $122,500 annual salary Webb is receiving, she said.

“I want to take at least two to three months to review and interview and find someone who really wants to come to Youngstown and who understands the curriculum, staff and financial needs of the district,” Beachum said.

Murphy said he agrees with a national search but isn’t ruling out applications from anyone with the right r sum . Finding the right person will be difficult, “but somewhere out there is a person who can handle it,” he said.

Murphy said he’d like to have someone on board by September and that he’s willing to pay two superintendents for a few months, explaining that the new person will need the benefit of Webb’s experience in the district.

Hanni said a national search will generate more candidates for the job. The board needs to find someone with urban district experience who isn’t afraid of challenges and not afraid to do big things, she said. Where they are from doesn’t matter, she said.

Atkinson said it would be good to have someone in place before Webb leaves. Although it may be tough to attract candidates because of the district’s problems, “There’s always somebody out there who wants to take that challenge,” he said.

Board member June Drennen said she’s not sold on the idea of a national search.

Youngstown is a district that is difficult to get to know, she said, suggesting that hiring a qualified local person with urban school experience — or at least someone from Ohio — might be a better way to go, she said.

People here are very accepting of someone who lives in the area. It would be more difficult for a stranger to come in and make changes, she said.

Catale said the board needs to establish a time line for the search, determine exactly what credentials the new superintendent should have and decide if a consultant or perhaps the National School Boards Association can be of assistance in the process.