If you have your eye on the Columbus Municipal School District lately, you might think the superintendent position is up for election.
It”s easy to make this mistake. Considering the following:
- Interim Superintendent Dr. Martha Liddell takes every opportunity to pass out her resume — a civic club meeting, a supporters reception, a dropout prevention rally — the list goes on.
- While everyone else was busy offering heartfelt goodbyes, Liddell utilized outgoing Superintendent Del Phillips” farewell event as an opportunity to promote herself as his successor.
- Lately, every special program at Columbus schools turns out to be a media circus, with Liddell conveniently placed at the center.
- Liddell has rallied a group of supporters (school district employees) who appear to be ever on hand to sing her praises and even help hand out resumes.
It appears Liddell has been shamelessly campaigning for the full-time job, from day one, as if she”s running for office.
We fear that Liddell”s maneuvering will not only skew the selection process, but may lead to ill-feeling if she is not chosen.
Don”t misunderstand us; we”re not saying Liddell is not the person for the job — though her behavior since Phillips” departure raises grave doubts — we”re saying let the search process play out in an evenhanded and deliberate manner. The Columbus School Board was remiss in appointing an interim to the position who covets the job to the extent Liddell obviously does. A wiser choice would have been someone who could calmly and capably steer the ship while a search took place, someone like retired assistant superintendent David Sullivan, for instance.
Phillips left Columbus schools earlier this month to take a job as head of schools in Sumner County, Tenn. Soon thereafter, the local school board tapped the Ray and Associates search firm to find his replacement. Coincidentally, Ray and Associates is the same firm that wooed Phillips away from Columbus.
Over the past four years, the city schools have begun innovative programs such as magnet schools and built the district”s first new school in decades.
In an effort to maintain that momentum, Columbus schools” leaders have chosen to seek outside help to find the district”s next CEO.
It”s a decision that should be based on experience, leadership record and a variety of intangibles. It”s not a popularity contest. And it shouldn”t be.
At the end of the $15,000 search, Liddell very well may be that person. Even so, her decision to launch herself into the spotlight and all but plant a victory flag is troubling.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.