Twin storms affect Pinellas superintendent search

A hurricane named Ike and a storm we'll call "Rudy" are blowing past Miami today, placing a cone of uncertainty over the Pinellas superintendent search.

Alberto Carvalho, left, an associate superintendent of Miami-Dade schools and one of three finalists to be Pinellas' next superintendent, could not attend a scheduled second interview today with the School Board. He cited his district's preparations for Hurricane Ike. Carvalho notified Pinellas in e-mails this weekend that his district was preparing for the possibility that Miami area schools could close Tuesday -- not only because Ike might hit South Florida (which now appears to be off the table) but also because Miami schools serve as shelters for people fleeing the Keys, where Ike was a bigger concern.

Board members Linda Lerner and Mary Brown, who didn't want Carvalho back for a second interview, suggested his nonappearance was due more to the fact that the Miami-Dade School Board held a special meeting today to pave the way for the ouster of superintendent Rudy Crew. Carvalho, as one of Crew's top deputies, has been mentioned as a possible successor. According to the Miami Herald, he was at the meeting about Crew.

"The only storm that's brewing there right now is the School Board storm," Lerner said, citing her own assessment of the weather in Miami. In similar remarks, Brown expressed the same concern. Lerner urged Carvalho to get on a plane or start driving as soon as possible for a forum this evening where the public will meet and ask questions of the three finalists.

But other board members said Lerner was presuming too much about Carvalho's Miami duties and decided to reschedule his interview for 2:30 Tuesday. He may or may not be at tonight's forum. The board was expected to select a new superintendent Wednesday, but those plans might be delayed.

--Tom Tobin, Times staff writer

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Comments

[Michelle]

I saw Janet and Mary. They were not behaving anything like you say. Popular or not both ladies were perfectly professional.

[Melissa]

Did you notice that Janet Clark and Mary Russell were back together again at the meeting last night?

It was like "Old Times" watching them strut into the room and snicker at the various remarks made from the podium.

One has to wonder why Janet would be seen in public with the person that made the word "Dysfunctional" a description of the Pinellas County School Board, especially when she is up for re-election.

[Wendy]

Frans, the storm was a feeble excuse for Carvalho to attend the Rudy Crew meeting. Miami/Dade was in no danger at that time from the storm.

His name is in the hat for Crew's job. He has also applied to Manatee for that position. Doe's he have a right to apply for all these positions, certainly. But if Miami says they're interested, (4th largest district, over 300 thousand dollars in salary) where do you think he'll go? By the way, Miami is insisting that the candidate come from within the system. A view many of us share in Pinellas County.

As far as Linda and Mary's remarks, many of us agree that he could have made the interview but felt the "Crew" meeting was more important, they did the right thing in bringing it to the public's attention. By the way, you will have the opportunity to ask him yourself if he was in attendence at the meeting involving Rudy Crew when and if he returns to Pinellas.

[Mich]

Let's see, applied for Manatee's opening, applied for Miami's job and applied for Pinellas Superintendent. Arrives late for meeting using the storm as an excuse when everyone knows he attended the meeting about the firing of Rudy Crew. If you doubt it...ask him. And to top it all off he is affiliated with Scholastic !
Does anyone see a pattern here. He is a great speaker, but great speakers don't always make great leaders. But he will make a fine salesman for Scholastic when the time comes.
Mich

The guy made it. Looked a bit tired. An outstanding candidate!

[JessiTeacher]

I commend him for being a leader and not leaving. This is the superintendent that we need, one that doesn't run away when the community needs him for support. Lerner and Brown must have someone influencing their decisions, since they have not given this man a fair opportunity like he deserves. Are we sure we want Board Members whom think that leaving a District for an interview in a time of need is more important than staying?

[clararae]

For your schools to be successful ALL students need to have the same chances.
My niece has a problem getting to school on time with no transportation
*Neither unemployed parent has a drivers lic. due to DWI's, unpaid fines etc.
*When there are rainy mornings she can't go to school.
*If there is alot of traffic, she may be late.
*When the power is shut off, she can't get ready in the dark.
*When the water is shut off, no shower has meant no schhol in the past.
*Because her mother is unmedicated bi polar (by choice) and stays up most of the night screaming, blaring the radio etc., this kid is doesn't get a good nights rest.
*How is this kid supposed to cope when NO ONE IS PROTECTING HER?
*DCF has been informed, removed the kid, but her mother MADE her come back home, to what? Our calls to DCF GO UNANSWERED, THIS IS VERY TROUBLING.
*Neither parent contributes for clothing or school supplies.
*Gulfport Police were called 6/26 about midnight and told by me that my sister was buying crack from a guy in an older car. He was in her house. Her 14 yr old daughter was also in the house, scared, that's why she called me. Gulfport Police sent someone to check on my niece, WOW! Here is a news flash, SHE was in big trouble with her mom, my disgusting sister, after the police left. Her 15th birthday was the next morning (NO GIFTS) GEE, I WONDER WHY MY SISTER WASN'T DRUG TESTED AND ARRESTED? THIS WAS CHILD ENDANGERMENT RIGHT UNDER THEIR NOSES, NOBODY BUT ME CARED. This kid is STILL being harassed by her mother for snitching.

[Michelle]

I agree with Frans. Be a little professional ladies. True or not, some things are better left unsaid. I want Mr. Carvahlo to be our next super if Miami want to keep him and he choses to say who can blame him? He is vested in that district? Applying here doesn't make him bad. At the time of application he did not have opportunity in Miami. He saw a fit for him here in Pinellas and applied. He may or may not be asked by both counties to step up. We will all know soon enough.

[Justthinking]

Wow Frans! Pretty self-important aren't you! Just because someone states the obvious does not make them a bad representative! I'm glad Lerner and Brown chose to let the public know about the other "storm" brewing. To NOT mention it would have been irresponsible. So, I guess you want the Miami guy - why, is he going to spends thousands of dollars on the special needs kids (which seems so important to you) while the average kids continue to be shoved aside??

joker (I mean termie),

By any name, you still stink.

[Frans van Haaren]

If it's true that Board members Linda Lerner and Mary Brown actually made these comments (I trust they did) we should all condemn their use of innuendo to influence public opinion in this matter. Shame on them as representatives of this community charged with taking care of the educational welfare of its children! Obviously that's not their main concern.

[joker]

Did Carvahlo ever make it over?
He couldn't come because of preparations for Hurricane Ike?
Funny how they had a big meeting in Miami-Dade today to get rid of Rudy Crew and Carvahlo was one of the guys mentioned as a candidate to take his place!
Did Pinellas get left at the alter?

[kitty]

Does this guy look like Al Pacino in Scarface or what!?

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/674449.html

looks like miami dade wants him to replace the outgoing super. . . .