Five superintendent candidates profiled

Terry Webster

Thursday, Nov. 18, 1999 | 11:55 a.m.

Consultant William Attea told the Clark County School Board there is no such thing as a perfect superintendent candidate.

But on Wednesday, Attea presented his top five picks from a nationwide search for the next leader of the Clark County School District, the country's eighth largest.

A retired Air Force general, the superintendent of the West Virginia State Department of Education and three superintendents from smaller school districts round out the list of semifinalists the district will interview. No one was selected from within the school district or the state.

The slate includes one Hispanic and one black candidate, but no women.

One of the top female candidates in the country dropped out of the running after learning the interview would be held in open session, said Attea, who represents Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, a Glenview, Ill.-based superintendent search firm.

"She didn't want to jeopardize her current position," he said.

According to Attea, a Nevada state law providing for open session interviewing was a turn-off for many who applied.

The candidates are seeking a job that oversees 217,000 students and management of a $1 billion budget. Current problems in the district include poor student test scores, a high dropout rate and high teen-age pregnancy and suicide rates.

Candidate Kenneth Stephen Burnley has served for 13 years as superintendent of the Colorado Springs District 11 Schools, which has a student population of 33,500 and a $175.7 million operating budget.

Burnley's resume indicates he has encouraged and supported award-winning programs for at-risk students, English as a Second Language, alternative education, special education and parental involvement.

Serving as superintendent for the Tuscon Unified School District in Tuscon, Ariz., for the past nine years, candidate George F. Garcia oversees 63,000 students and a $300 million operating budget.

On his resume, Garcia cites the "Attack the Gap" initiative to improve minority test scores as one of his major accomplishments. Additionally, he points out a reduction in the dropout rate by one-half over the past eight years to 5.9 percent last year.

Other accomplishments include establishing new Hispanic Studies and Pan Asian Studies Departments and restructuring the African American and Native American Studies departments.

Candidate James A. Fleming, superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District in Orange County, Calif., for the past eight years, is responsible for 44,000 students in his district.

Fleming wrote in his cover letter that he has led an effort to raise student performance well above state and national averages on standardized tests.

Prior to moving to California, Fleming served in a variety of administrative positions in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the nation's fourth-largest school district.

Candidate Henry Marockie oversees 300,000 students and a $1.6 billion budget as Superintendent for the West Virginia Department of Education.

Marockie points out in his cover letter that during his tenure, West Virginia has earned national recognition for student achievement, technology, school construction and renovation and successful intervention in failing schools.

He also states he has worked in policy development over the past nine years with the nine-member State Board of Education.

Joseph J. Redden, who recently retired after 35 years in the Air Force, is the only candidate from outside traditional educational circles.

Aside from a wide variety of operational and staff positions, Redden served as the Commandant of Cadets at the Air Force Academy and as the Commander of Air University. Air University is a focal point for military professionals and continuing education for all Air Force personnel.

"I have had the privilege to serve my nation and her citizens for my adult life," he stated. "Helping young men and women attain their potential through an excellent education is a challenging and gratifying way to continue that service."

One area Attea stressed with the School Board during Wednesday's session was to firm up salary and benefit issues -- in writing--before making an offer of employment.

He also suggested the board approach the interviewing process as if they are serving on a jury.

"Don't dialog about the candidates until you see all of them," he said.

If the board decides to select from the current pool, the two least desirable candidates will be eliminated and the remaining three will become the finalists. The board also has the option of looking at more candidates before making a decision.

Mary Stanley-Larsen, school spokeswoman, said the candidates' backgrounds reflect that the search firm was seeking people who met the district's criteria.

Due to scheduling problems, changes in the interviewing scheduled were made Wednesday.

There are two segments to the process. One, an assessment center, will be conducted by the Committee on Superintendent Selection Process.

Three questions will be asked during the exercise. The questions will relate to a six-month entry plan to address growth and student issues, responding to the needs of various district interests, and how to serve all students by addressing or capitalizing on diversity.

Additionally, the School Board will question the candidates during the interview process. All activities are being held at the United Way office conference room, 1660 E. Flamingo Road.

Here is the updated schedule:

Marockie couldn't get to Las Vegas this week because of a scheduled court appearance involving a lawsuit against the state, Attea said. The state is being sued over alleged fiscal inequity between wealthy and poor school districts. Other candidates were not identified in terms of where they fall in the interview process.

Attea said similar cases are occurring in about 46 states.

On Nov. 29 the board and the committee will meet to select finalists, who will be interviewed again Dec. 1 through 3. The board will still attempt to name the new superintendent by Dec. 16, if it choses someone from the current pool of candidates.