Sep. 21, 2010
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
One finalist drops out of CCSD superintendent search
Some weigh in on qualifications of remaining two candidates
Confidence in the Clark County School District's superintendent search was shaken Monday when one of three finalists dropped out.
James Browder, superintendent of the Lee County School District in southwest Florida, withdrew to take a job as vice president of operations at Edison State College, also in Lee County.
James Browder, superintendent of the Lee County School District in southwest Florida, withdrew to take a job as vice president of operations at Edison State College, also in Lee County.
The Clark County School Board will proceed with community meetings on Wednesday and interviews on Thursday with the two remaining finalists: Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Michael Hinojosa and Colorado Education Commissioner Dwight D. Jones.
The School Board also could decide Thursday to ask the McPherson & Jacobson search firm to produce a third finalist as it seeks to replace retiring Superintendent Walt Rulffes. The School Board's goal is to name a new superintendent by mid-October.
Browder's decision to withdraw and questions about the backgrounds of the two remaining candidates have some wondering about the quality of the search process and what appears to be a rush to make a decision on the part of board members.
"This will very likely be the most important superintendent selection in recent memory," said longtime political strategist Sig Rogich, who is chairman of the board for the Public Education Foundation. "I see no reason why they need to pick someone overnight."
The School Board also could decide Thursday to ask the McPherson & Jacobson search firm to produce a third finalist as it seeks to replace retiring Superintendent Walt Rulffes. The School Board's goal is to name a new superintendent by mid-October.
Browder's decision to withdraw and questions about the backgrounds of the two remaining candidates have some wondering about the quality of the search process and what appears to be a rush to make a decision on the part of board members.
"This will very likely be the most important superintendent selection in recent memory," said longtime political strategist Sig Rogich, who is chairman of the board for the Public Education Foundation. "I see no reason why they need to pick someone overnight."
