View on position as interim superintendent
What does it mean to you to be the acting superintendent as opposed to just the superintendent?
I've never been an acting superintendent before, but what I joke with people about is that every superintendent is an acting superintendent, but some people just have longer runs. In Newton, in a way I was acting superintendent for 12 years, so it's very different. Still, I think it's about building positive relationships, listening, learning and figuring out how to make a difference. Being an acting superintendent is a shorter term [position], but you also want to make sure that the leaders and administrators feel supported. That's something you do whether you're in a district for one year or 10 years.
Do you think it's difficult entering this position as acting superintendent given how our past superintendent left under difficult circumstances?
I am aware that there's been some tension in the district. I need to be aware of that and understanding of people. It means that I have to work hard to build collaborative and trusting relationships in this role, but you have to do that regardless of what's happened in the past. So, my goal is to make sure that I build relationships with people. I was not here, but I am certainly aware that last year was a challenging year.
Are there any updates on the discrimination complaint filed by former superintendent Omar Easy?
I don't have any knowledge and I am not involved in any of that, nor am I informed, so I think it's probably confidential. I am not apprised to any of that at all, so I actually have no information at all.
You came into our community during a difficult time. What plans do you have to ease any
tension in our community?
I think it's about a couple of things. There's a healing part to that, which is focusing on building trusting relationships, but we also need to talk openly and honestly about things like race. We don't want to sweep things under the rug and I talked about that on faculty opening day. It's important that we talk about hard issues. Number one, it's important that we think about what our students need, and how to prepare them for the future. Then we really want to make sure that the adults feel supported. We also want to make sure that we have goals for the district that are really important, particularly around belonging and diversity to make sure that all students and adults in this district feel included, heard and welcomed. I think that's particularly important in light of recent events.