Heath and Dearden face School Board's Questions

The Williamson County School Board interviewed two of the five semi-finalist candidates for the Director of Schools position on Monday night. Current Interim Director Dr. David Heath was up first followed by Dennis Dearden. Each candidate responded to the same set of 25 questions asked by various board members.

Dennis Dearden's 20-year history of teaching experience includes time as a teacher, a middle school principal, a high school principal, an assistant superintendent in Fairfax County, Virginia, and a superintendent in Arizona for three years.

Dearden spoke of listening to board members, teachers, community, support staff, students and "constituents" during the first few months on the job to develop a plan people would buy into.

Asked about vision for the district, Dearden said, "A vision is a saying or a slogan until it gets into the heart of the community. Unless it's in there it's just a slogan."

Dearden continued that the vision must be articulated clearly and carried throughout the system from top to bottom. Asked the vision in Arizona, Dearden said, "World Class Education for Tomorrow's Leaders."

On leadership Dearden said, "A leader is a visionary. A leader can inspire. A leader sees beyond the first step." He went on to add that three critical traits of a superintendent are: great people skills, political savvy, and common sense.

As for establishing partnerships with local businesses and higher education institutions, Dearden said that in Arizona, "I didn't ask (businesses) what they could do for the school district, I asked them what could the school district do for them."

Dearden said that working in Fairfax County, a district of 166,000 students representing 150 nationalities and 100 languages, gave him great sensitivity to promoting and understanding diversity and different cultures.

Regarding the WCS strategic plan, Dearden said, "I think you've got a good strategic plan. What I don't know is do people understand the strategic plan at the school and community level."

Asked about the greatest criticism of him by his critics, Dearden said, "I think that for some people that were in the 'comfort zone' -- we're already a good district -- that (change) was uncomfortable for them . . . I would say that's probably also what they would compliment me on now that it's over."

In a follow-up question Dearden was asked if he viewed himself as a "change agent". "Yes," he answered. "But not change for change sake."

One of the most critical issues five years down the road Dearden said would be funding along with some changes in No Child Left Behind.

Dearden, currently a senior VP with the Partnership for Excellence, was most recently a superintendent with the Marana Unified School District in Arizona -- a post he resigned effective June 30, 2008. Dearden cited only personal reasons and devoting more time to being a dad to his three children in a story from the Arizona Daily Star dated April 2, 2008.

Asked why he was looking to return to a superintendent role, Dearden said, "I'm looking for a special opportunity. I want to be a part of a unique district that says, 'I want to be better than just good.' . . . Williamson County is attractive to me because it presents this potential to be an absolutely great district. . . . This is one of the few districts in the country that can pull this off. I really believe that."

During his interview, Dearden also cited passage of a budget override and tax increase to increase funding in Marana schools -- an override that had failed twice previously -- as examples of his leadership. The additional $6.3 million in funds were used to hire teachers, nurses, and other instructors according to an Arizona Daily Star story from May 17, 2007.

Something Dearden wasn't asked about and didn't discuss during the interview was that he was also recently a finalist for the Washoe County School District Superintendent position in Nevada. Although he was not chosen for that position, he was a candidate as late as June 7, 2009 according to a KTNV report on that search. Perhaps Dearden's candidacy there explains why he wasn't available among the first batch of candidates presented by Ray & Associates earlier this year.

Dr. Heath, when asked his views on leadership and his own leadership skills said, "I think I have a lot of traits that a leader possesses. Probably the biggest trait is my ability to look at a problem analytically and have others see it rather simply . . . Not all problems we face are complicated."

In terms of visibility within the schools, Dr. Heath said he would ideally visit each cluster (a high school and its feeder schools) every other month for a day for a total of 4-5 visits to each cluster every year.

In response to a follow-up question about setting goals and whether it's better to set higher goals and let the public see you miss or to set lower goals and let people see you reach them, Dr. Heath said, "I think we can't afford to set the lower goals anymore."

In regards to narrowing identified achievement gaps, Dr. Heath stated, "If we teach standards and test standards then students will achieve and those gaps will be found and remediated along the way."

Asked to define what criticism his greatest critic might have of him, Dr. Heath said, "That I say, 'No', too much."

As for the most critical issues facing the Williamson County School System in the next five years, Dr. Heath said that getting every child to pass Algebra II would fit that category. Rapid changes in information and scientific discoveries also offer critical challenges in terms of how to teach that information.

Towards the end of his interview, Dr. Heath turned his attention to the district's goals and the future.

"Until we can prove to people that there is a benefit to focusing on goals as a district then we can't get to the greater goal of being the best system in the country," he said. "We are never going to be the best system anywhere but Tennessee if we don't change and develop focus on goals."

State Senator Stanley Resigns

According to an update on the online version of The Tennessean, State Senator Paul Stanley (R - Germantown) resigned this afternoon in the wake of a scandal involving a former intern, the intern's boyfriend, and an apparent relationship between the intern and the Senator.

The intern, McKensie Morrison, is a 22-year-old student at Austin Peay State University. Morrison graduated from a Florida high school, and the Orlando Sentinel has an in-depth story on her previous encounters with law enforcement in the Sunshine State. According to the story, Morrison has drug-related arrests (crack cocaine) and a HUSBAND currently serving a seven-year prison sentence for beating a 75-year-old with a hammer and fracturing his skull. Morrison and the incarcerated husband filed for divorce one month ago.

While Senator Jack Johnson (R-Brentwood) has not issued a statement on Stanley's resignation, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey issued the following brief statement:

Senator Paul Stanley has resigned from the Senate effective August 10th. I have received his letter of resignation and forwarded it to Secretary of State Hargett and Governor Bredesen.

Director Interviews Scheduled -- TAKE ACTION!!

The five semi-finalists vying for the position of Director of Williamson County Schools are scheduled for public interviews next week in the Carolyn Campbell Room at the WCS Central Office located at 1320 West Main in Franklin.

Local residents are invited and strongly encouraged to attend these interviews and hear directly from the individuals seeking to lead Williamson County Schools as they are interviewed. The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, August 3, 6pm - Dr. David Heath (Interim Superintendent WCS)
• Monday, August 3, 8pm - Dennis Dearden (Senior VP, Partnership for Excellence, AZ)
• Tuesday, August 4, 6pm - Dr. Barry Carroll (Supt. Limestone County Schools, AL)
• Tuesday, August 4, 8pm - Michael Looney (Supt. Butler County School District, AL)
• Wednesday, August 5, 6pm - James Wilson (Former Supt. Fulton County Schools, GA)

At a special called meeting at 6pm on Thursday, August 6, the School Board will choose which of the candidates to bring in for a second interview. Time is short to let your school board reps know how you feel about the candidates.

One of these men will very likely be named to lead Williamson County Schools before the end of August. The position affects not only students and parents in the county, but ALL residents of Williamson County. Corporations have found Williamson County a desirable location in part because of the quality school system. The attractive schools help sustain property values here AND keep the residential tax burden relatively low because of those business and sales taxes. If our schools begin to suffer as a result of poor leadership that lacks vision such a decline will ultimately affect your property value -- whether you have children in the public schools or not.

So, email the Board members and let them know your personal thoughts on this important decision. Let them all know you are interested and engaged in how this situation is resolved. It's too important NOT to get involved.

Heath One of Five Set for Director Interviews

Dr. David Heath, the interim director of Williamson County Schools, is one of five candidates the Williamson County School Board intends to interview August 3-5 in the ongoing search for a replacement director following the Board's decision to remove Dr. Rebecca Sharber late last year.

Search firm Ray & Associates presented the five candidates to the Board Monday night during a special meeting. This comes after Ray & Associates embarked on a nationwide search for candidates that culminated with three individuals being interviewed for the position and subsequently rejected by the Board on the grounds of lack of experience and/or vision.

Along with Heath, the other five candidates -- who all happen to be male -- are: Barry Carroll of Athens, Alabama; Dennis Dearden of Oro Valley, Arizona; Mike Looney of Greenville, Alabama; and James Wilson of Atlanta. Wilson actually oversaw the construction of Centennial High School in the late 1990s while working for Williamson County Schools.

Anything other than the hiring of Dr. Heath will be an absolutely stunning move given how this process has unfolded. Perhaps the Board will surprise everyone by choosing someone other than Heath (Wilson, perhaps?) but there is simply nothing to suggest that this is headed any other direction.

Is it truly possible that there are no qualified females for this job? Doesn't that seem odd? Is it truly possible that only a handful of people are interested in leading the public schools in one of the wealthiest counties in the United States? Doesn't that seem strange? Is it truly possible that Dr. Heath is going to be handed this job when all is said and done? Maybe we'll all know by the middle of August. Is it truly possible that those who voted for this move will be re-elected come election time? Wait and see.

Brentwood to Vote on "Guns in Parks" Issue Monday Night

The Brentwood City Commission's meeting agenda for Monday, July 13, at 7pm includes a vote on a resolution that if passed by simple majority (4 of 7) would prohibit handgun carry permit holders from bringing weapons into the city's parks. In addition, Resolution 2009-56 would prohibit handguns on "bicycle pedestrian trails and greenways that are part of the City's park system" according to a note included with the agenda posted recently on Brentwood's website.

Brentwood City Attorney Roger Horner authored a four-page Legal Services Memorandum (viewable in the attachments) on July 1, 2009, that was sent to Mayor Betsy Crossley and the other City Commissioners regarding the "Prohibition of Handguns in City Parks". In the document, Horner notes that such a prohibition would apply to the entire park as municipalities cannot allow guns in certain areas while prohibiting them elsewhere in the same park. Municipalities are free, however, to prohibit guns in some parks while permitting them in other parks under state law. Horner's recommendation to Brentwood officials is against such "piecemeal prohibition" and instead would affect the following parks and locations in their entirety:

• Crockett Park, Granny White Park, Tower Park, River Park, Deerwood Arboretum and Nature Center, Owl Creek Park, Primm Park, Concord Park, Maryland Way Park, Pleasant Hill parkland (not yet developed), more than 14 miles of bicycle/pedestrian trails, and more than 75 acres of greenways. The prohibition would also extend to parks and recreational facilities owned by the City of Brentwood in the future.

After citing numerous reasons to "opt-out" of the law signed by Governor Bredesen in June, including that ". . . the potential for violence would increase in proportion to the number of guns that are carried into the parks", Horner recommends passage of Resolution 2009-56 with the following statement:

The City Manager, Chief of Police and Parks and Recreation Director strongly support this proposal to 'opt out'.

If passed, signs at least 6 inches high and 14 inches wide explaining the maximum penalty of 11 months and 29 days in jail and a fine not to exceed $2,500 for the misdemeanor must be installed by September 1 in prominent locations on affected properties. Approximately 25 signs at a cost of $75 to $100 each are estimated to be needed in Brentwood bringing the General Fund cost to $2,500.

Other gun-related new business on Brentwood's July 13 agenda includes a vote on Resolution 2009-57, a resolution that would prohibit possession of weapons at "meetings conducted by the City of Brentwood or within any building owned, operated or managed, or under the control of the City of Brentwood." City staff recommends passage of this resolution as well, citing reasons offered by Horner in the memorandum regarding guns in parks.

If history is any indication, a recommendation by city staff in Brentwood usually leads to adoption or passage of the issue at hand by the elected officials. Let Mayor Crossley and Commissioners Dunn, Little, Reagan, Smithson, Sweeney, and Webb know where you stand on this issue before next Monday night.

Heath One Step Closer to Removing "Interim" from His Title

Reporter Maria Giordano gets credit for her update in today's Tennessean regarding Interim Director of Williamson County Schools David Heath officially applying for the post formerly occupied by Dr. Rebecca Sharber prior to her ouster in January at the hand of the School Board. If you missed our post from late May regarding the issue, you can still find it here.

Consulting firm Ray & Associates will present their chosen semi-finalists from among this second round of applicants during a July 20th meeting. You know, JULY, when if parents and students are thinking about anything, they're thinking about school. Right? Could it be coincidental that Heath's application becomes official at the start of a LONG holiday weekend? Is it coincidental that the school board could make their decision while many families are away on vacation? Is it coincidental that Heath himself just promoted an "assistant principal" at Brentwood Middle School to replace the previous principal he reassigned earlier this year? You know, making it clear that promoting from within is the logical solution to the current situation.

We've said it before and we'll say it again, if the School Board wanted to replace Sharber with Heath there were more cost effective ways to create a smooth transition that would NOT have cost taxpayer dollars. IF Heath gets the job this summer remember to compare the names of who votes in his favor with the list of those who voted to fire Sharber. Here's that list again, just to jog your memory:

THOSE IN FAVOR OF FIRING SHARBER:

Pat Anderson (8th District)

Susan Graham (7th District)

Mark Gregory (11th District)

Terry Leve (6th District)

Tim McLaughlin (4th District)

Janice Mills (2nd District)

Barry Watkins (9th District)

THOSE OPPOSED TO FIRING SHARBER:

Gary Anderson (5th District)

James Bond (12th District)

D'Wayne Greer (1st District)

Janine Moore (3rd District)

Bill Peach (10th District)

Brentwood City Commission Votes to PARTY on Taxpayer Dime - in Cool Springs!

Monday night's Brentwood City Commission meeting included a vote on the city's annual employee recognition dinner scheduled for this coming November 13. The dinner is budgeted at just over $12,000 of taxpayer funds. The motion passed unanimously among the seven commissioners during the evening's New Business portion (after a resident requested that it be removed from the consent agenda where it was originally scheduled). Not a single commissioner voiced any alternative idea to reduce costs, reservation about spending that kind of taxpayer money outside the city, or concern of how Brentwood residents may view such a voluntary expenditure of taxpayer dollars.

The dinner will serve approximately 275 city employees a selection of chef's choice butler-passed Hors d'Ouevres during a reception, a two-entree buffet with upgraded beef carving station, and more at the Embassy Suites in Cool Springs. All this for the low, low cost of $36 per plate plus 22 percent in taxes and fees. Of course, those taxes and fees won't make their way into Brentwood's coffers since the Embassy Suites isn't located in Brentwood.

So, the residents of Brentwood will pick up a tab in excess of $12,000 for a private party for Brentwood city employees and the tax revenue will go to Franklin. (Maybe we can get Franklin officials to send a trolley or two over to Brentwood for a day or two as payback? Maybe on luminaria night? Just saying.) This on top of a 1.5% market pay adjustment across the board for city employees totaling more than $159,000 that also passed unanimously Monday night. 

At a time when the economy is sagging, jobs are scarce, and Brentwood's housing boom is a distant memory, this is a local example of the same type of behavior that caused an uproar on a national level -- spending taxpayer dollars on a private party (AIG) while those same taxpayers are making tough choices on personal budgets at home.

The very least the city commission could have done would have been to ENSURE that the money spent on this party would stay in Brentwood. The catering could have been provided by a local business owner. The event could have been held at one of the schools, one of the country clubs, or, like many companies do, it could have been held in one of our large Brentwood parks. Then it would have allowed the "Brentwood family" to bring their actual families out to celebrate the good job they do running the city. Such a choice may have necessitated moving the date from November if they didn't want to rent a nice tent for shelter, but the current economic environment is different than it was last year or the year before and some concessions could have been made. Even the tent option with tables, chairs, and linens, and a local caterer would have cost LESS than the approved $12,000 expenditure. This isn't about whether or not Brentwood city employees are doing a good job -- they are. This is about the wisdom of the elected officials and how they are choosing to spend taxpayer dollars.

Instead, Mayor Crossley, Vice Mayor Little, and Commissioners Dunn, Reagan, Smithson, Sweeney, and Webb voted UNANIMOUSLY to endorse sending in excess of $12,000 of taxpayer dollars to another local municipality for the purpose of a private party. 

Editor's Note: We propose, given the Friday the 13th date of this private shindig, that the evening's entertainment may be comprised of a screening of everyone's favorite hockey-masked, machete-wielding psycho, Jason, on a big screen in the Embassy Suites ballroom.