On the other hand, if choosing a good community leader depends on strong community involvement, MCPS is well-positioned in its search for someone to replace retiring Superintendent Jim Clark.
“In trying to paint the picture of the perfect superintendent, we got a lot of help,” consultant Bob Vogel told the MCPS school board Tuesday night. “But you're sort of setting yourself up for disappointment. It will be difficult to meet all the qualities everyone came forward with.”
The new superintendent will take charge of nearly 1,200 employees, 22 buildings and a $60 million annual budget. She or he will also confront a community that's growing while its student population shrinks, and a legislature that constantly changes the rules for public education.
Many suggestions related directly to education issues, such as curriculum development and breaking a perceived logjam in how new computers and electronic gear get approved for classroom use. There was also a lot of concern with how the future school leader would work with Missoula's larger community.
On that point, respondents were split. While one writer said “we don't need Š another ‘performer' who appears to be at the right places at the right time,” another suggested that “we need a cheerleader for MCPS - Monty (the UM mascot) with a voice.”
Another flashpoint is a salary in the range of $125,000.
“The superintendent should be proud to serve the district and not be concerned with his own personal welfare before the students,” one anonymous poster wrote. “50k is a modest salary for someone who enjoys being around kids ... even an ogre would smile around children for 125k a year. This is really a sore issue for me.”
But almost no current Montana school superintendent would consider Missoula a step up in salary, Vogel said. Neither would most out-of-state candidates, where the market is paying $150,000 or $200,000 in smaller districts, he added.
“The challenge to you is to find a CEO with a salary of $125,000 running a $60 million business,” Vogel said. “We're not even in the ballpark. If you're trying to draw someone to Missoula based on the salary you're paying, that won't do it. It's a quality-of-life decision, and those aren't things you can take to the bank.”
Trustee Nancy Pickhardt encouraged her colleagues to stick with the higher salary range.
“We've taken some hits for raising the superintendent's salary to $125,000,” she said Tuesday night. “With all the gloomy financial forecasts and cuts coming, I know this is going to be an issue. But this has got to be a 60- to 80-hour-a-week job, and we want somebody with Ph.D. qualifications.”
A few of those somebodies have already sent in applications. Vogel said he'd keep the mailbox open until the end of January. The pile will be trimmed to between three and six finalists, who may be invited for interviews in March. Clark intends to formally step down June 30.
Reporter Rob Chaney can be reached at 523-5382 or at rchaney@missoulian.com.
If you're interested
The complete list of feedback on the Missoula County Public Schools search for a superintendent can be found at www.mcps.k12.mt.us under the “Superintendent Search” heading.
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)