Hillsborough's Grego bids for Pinellas superintendent job

The Pinellas School Board will meet Friday to begin discussions on how to replace outgoing superintendent Clayton Wilcox. But the district heard Wednesday from a big name in local education circles who is interested in the job. Mike Grego (left), Hillsborough County's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, wrote the board saying he'd like to be Pinellas' next superintendent.

"I recognize that the search for the superintendent has not been officially advertised, but I want to be proactive and express my sincere desire to lead the Pinellas County School District as its next superintendent," Grego began in a two-page letter that accompanied a nine-page resume.

Grego, who was a finalist for the Hillsborough top job in 2005, cited Hillsborough's student achievement gains, his knowledge of Pinellas County and his policy experience, saying he would be "a perfect choice for your district."

He wrote that he is familiar with Pinellas' student assignment plan, its bus system issues, its magnet programs, plus "the state of teacher morale and your progress closing the achievement gap."

He didn't say it in the letter, but Hillsborough has outpaced Pinellas on several measures in recent years, most notably with its graduation rate and the performance of minority students.

Several other candidates for the job have surfaced, including Wilcox's top deputies, Julie Janssen and Harry Brown. Wilcox has accepted a job with Scholastic Corp. and wants to leave the district by June 1.

Comments

(Regarding the previous post) I meant I was a student at SPHS and had him as a teacher.

I was so angry about that comment, I mis-typed!

FYI Pinellas mom, if you are going to make insinuations about someone's character, you should be prepared to back it up with proof. Do you think this is a great forum in which to cast aspersions at people who are not even here to defend themselves? I also was a student and had Harry Brown as a student at SPHS and he was a great teacher, loved by all his students.

[me]

We don't need Hillsborough burnouts or castoffs. Maybe it would be cool to have someone with an education doctorate from a real university.

How about someone who has never been to Florida before. Dallas, Texas had several schools in that top 100. I think that some normal teachers should be on the interview team. Jade Moore doesn't need to on the team. He is just looking out for himself!

[Obsequious]

How about the many errors in the letter and resume/CV? How can you lead by example when you punctuate fragments, fail to proofread, prematurely assert your candidacy, and most glaringly-incorrectly state your own title more than once? Assistance indeed!

[Pinellas MOm]

fyi - they were student related rumors. That's why I am concerned. He also disappeared in the middle of the semester w/ no notice. What a disaster that would be if he did it again at the superintendent level.

hi that's not weird

Pinellas mom, what does his personal life have to do with anything? As long as he's not molesting students like up in H/borough that shouldn't reflect on his qualifications to do the job. Who cares?

[Pinellas Mom]

I really hope we look outside the Bay Area. I don't want to see an internal promotion. Harry Brown has had rumors circulate about his personal life. He was a teacher at SPHS when I was in HS.

Anyone from Pinellas is going to be some one who wants to engage in social experimentation. We need neighborhood schools. The last thing we need is some one who decides to bus by income (which has been discussed). Every survey has shown that parents want neighborhood schools, not more of the last 30+ years of social engineering.

[Timmy!]

Geez Sinbad what a racist comment. I hope it was sarcasm and not belief.

A good leader is a good leader my friend. That's what is needed!

[Ann E. Mouse]

@Sinbad... We have a woman here in Hillsborough. As far as I'm concerned, you can have her. Take Grego, too. He's just one of MaryEllen Elia's "evil minions".

[Tim]

Looking too far outside the district will just get someone with no loyalty who will leave as soon as a new prospect comes along (Wilcox)....I say go for the hillborough guy.

[Sinbad]

It is time for a women to lead or a person of color. We don't need a typical white guy.

[Leeanne]

There should be a nationwide search.
Well this method of applying for the job is proactive, it is also arrogant.

Pinellas needs to look outside the area,it is obvious this gentlemen may be qualified . Is he the Best Qualified? Interview a few dozen prospective applicants.

[Fed Up Reading Teacher]

Funny that Hillsborough has outpaced Pinellas in graduation and raising test scores, but our pay lags behind Pinellas.... wow.... just goes to show how the district appreciates our efforts!