Search being eyed closely
SMMUSD HDQTRS. — Both the public and employees of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District will be granted another opportunity to meet face-to-face with the search firm charged with finding the next superintendent of schools.
During a special meeting Wednesday, school board members acknowledged there was not sufficient notification by the district for a series of similar community meetings held earlier this week.
Therefore, the board approved a new round of discussions for May 10 with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd., an Illinois-based search firm hired by the district for $35,000 to recruit a replacement for John Deasy, the district’s former superintendent. Former assistant superintendent Mike Matthews is serving as interim superintendent, and has expressed interest in the district’s top job.
The superintendent is in charge of overseeing the day-to-day operations at the district, which serves roughly 12,500 students at 19 schools in Santa Monica and Malibu.
“We (the school board) decided to hold additional meetings because those we held earlier this week were immediately after spring break and we were concerned that there was-n’t proper notification so people could plan in time to be at the meetings,” said Kathy Wisnicki, vice president of the school board. “We wanted to make sure we are erring on the side of over-inclusiveness in this process.”
Critics of the district said notification of the meetings was not posted on the district’s Web site until the day before they were to begin.
Wisnicki said she approved of a press release announcing the meetings on April 7, the day before spring break began. She said it was sent out to local media, various committees, city staff and the community at large. The meetings were also discussed at the school board meeting on April 6, she added.
The Santa Monica Daily Press never received information that a forum would be held regarding the superintendent search.
District staff conceded having had problems sending e-mails and that may be the reason for the lack of notification.
Public input is vital at this stage of the superintendent search, for once Attea begins the hunt, all information about potential finalists will remain confidential. Representatives from Attea said the best candidates will most likely not agree to be interviewed if their names are released to the public.
In a presentation to the district, representatives from Attea said those who participated in meetings earlier this week felt transparency in district operations is crucial, and the next superintendent should be a leader who “has the ability to work collaboratively with an engaged, committed and proactive community and dedicated, professional staff.”
District officials said roughly 150 people attended the first round of meetings, and Attea has received 170 separate forms found on the district’s Web site that allow people to respond in writing as to what they want to see in the next superintendent.
The May 10 meetings will be held at the following locations and times: Malibu High School Auditorium, 32015 Morningview Drive, Malibu, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.; District headquarters, board room, 1651 16th Street, Santa Monica, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; District headquarters, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A meeting for employees only will be held at the district headquarters from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 28, 2006. Read the original PDF.