Earlier this week, The Washington Examiner caught up with PTA presidents, gifted and special ed reps, a county councilman and more on the qualities and priorities they want the replacement for retiring Superintendent Jerry Weast to possess. Key phrases: “someone who honors diversity,” who will “restore equity,” someone “that’s present,” and who “plays well with others.”
As Montgomery parents sound off at community forums, members of the school board are doing one-on-one interviews with search firm Hazard, Young & Attea to explain their ideal superintendent, who will take office when Weast retires in June.
We chatted with board member Michael Durso, who represents Takoma Park, Wheaton, Kensington, and parts of Silver Spring:
“I think people are looking for someone who pretty much walks on water, which all school systems are looking for. I’m pretty confident that we’ll get a pool of good candidates. I certainly want somebody who can navigate the county and the state and the national scene, because we’re heavily involved in a combination. There’s our reputation, plus the closeness to Washington, D.C…. How we contend with the budget and keep the level of our programs in schools strong in the face of shrinking resources, it’s going to take a bit of a Houdini. And then I think the other area, and you run into this with any big bureaucracy, is a person who’s open and accessible, and is a listener, and kind of stays on top of all the different issues. That’s not an easy task, but those are some of the things I’ll be looking for.”
