By Daily Press Staff Writer
SMMUSD HDQTRS. — The school district’s highest-ranking officials prefer the passenger seat — at least for now.
Interim superintendent Mike Matthews announced Wednesday that he will not enter his name into the running to replace John Deasy, the district’s former superintendent who left earlier MATTHEWS, from page 1 Board mixed Superintendent Mike Matthews said.
Matthews could not give any further details about the position or why it has publicly been offered to Straus without discussion or approval by the school board, only saying the position is something that has been discussed throughout the district for three months and is being created. According to Matthews, elementary and secondary schools each pose unique issues that need to be addressed in seperate manners.
He expects the board to give full approval of Straus’ hiring, that is, if she wants the job.
School board members had mixed reactions upon learning of the job offer to Straus.
“I don’t think it’s uncommon for the superintendent to talk with a potential candidate and discuss the details and then come to the board after it has been flushed out,” said Kathy Wisnicki, school board vice president. “I know we’ll have a genuine discussion about it.”
School board member Oscar de la Torre had a different reaction.
“I’m concerned because the school board has not seen a job description and we are unclear as to what the position would entail,” de la Torre said.“We have to be careful with our budget, that we are not just shifting people around, paying them higher salaries for less responsibility.”
Straus has given all indications that she would accept the position, saying she has always wanted to work for the district on secondary education, particularly as an administrator.
“I made a decision that, after Samohi, I would want to work in the central office and support the school district that I love,” Straus said. “I’ve had several offers over the years from other districts, but in the last few months, (SMMUSD) has shown great interest in bringing me on.”
Straus said the “great offer” comes at the perfect time. She has fulfilled her commitment to the district, having stayed on as lead principal for two years after her original contract expired. That was partly because she wanted to oversee the implementation of the school’s redesign into six smaller learning communities, or houses, complete with their own principals and counselors.
To that end, school board member Jose Escarce believes she has succeeded.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 1, 2006. Read the original PDF.