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New Orleans Schools Invest $50,000 in Superintendent Search

Posted on: Monday, 8 August 2005, 03:01 CDT

The New Orleans Public Schools superintendent search committee hopes to have a search firm in place by Sept. 26 and a superintendent hired by the end of January 2006.

The 35-member committee of Orleans Parish School Board members, business leaders, parents, teachers, students, religious leaders and community leaders has been meeting once a month since May to discuss the qualifications a new superintendent needs.

I think it's running smoothly, said School Board member Phyllis Landrieu, who is spearheading the committee. I'd like it to move more quickly but we have to go through the necessary steps. We hope we get the best candidate for the long run and to rebuild the school system.

Landrieu said no applications will be accepted until the school district hires a search firm. Once the firm is hired, she expects the process to find a superintendent will take up to 90 days.

In May, the Orleans Parish School Board allocated $5,000 to fund the superintendent search. The OPSB recently approved $50,000 for the search.

We initially requested $50,000, said School Board member Lourdes Moran. However, I've asked Alvarez & Marsal to re-evaluate the projected cost and to advise us accordingly.

The New York firm is responsible for the district's finances but will not participate in the superintendent search, said Sajan George, managing director and chief operating officer of the school district.

The OPSB recently hired Ora Watson as interim superintendent but she has not said whether she will apply for the full-time position, Landrieu said.

I certainly hope she'll apply, Landrieu said.

Watson was appointed interim superintendent after former Superintendent Anthony Amato resigned April 12.

The next Superintendent Search Committee meeting will take place at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 26 at the Junior Achievement office, 5100 Orleans Ave. The meeting is open to the public.

(Copyright 2005 Dolan Media Newswires)

Source: New Orleans CityBusiness

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