Pinellas School Board narrows superintendent field

                                       
The Pinellas School Board has narrowed the field of finalists to be the district's next superintendent. Still in the hunt are (from left to right) Alberto M. Carvalho, 43, associate superintendent of Miami-Dade schools, Nicholas M. Gledich, 55, chief operations officer for Orange County schools, and Julie Janssen, 59, interim superintendent in Pinellas.

All three will return to Pinellas on Sept. 8 for a day of interviews and school tours, and an evening meeting with the public. Board members said they were impressed by Sherrie Nickell, an associate superintendent for Polk County schools, but added she did not have the level of experience they were seeking.

The board took about 50 minutes to set the field this morning, starting by going around the table to get a consensus on which candidates they wanted back for a second interview. Six board members said they wanted to bring back Janssen, and five said they wanted to talk to Carvalho again. Four board members said they were unsure about bringing Gledich back, but after some discussion most said they wanted to interview him again.

To see the Pinellas School Board's interviews last week with the three finalists, click here.

- Thomas C. Tobin, Times staff writer

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Comments

I just found the organazational chart for Mr. Carvalho's district. He is quite a way down on the chart. His speciality is grants which is of course important to a district but would be a position that a superintendent would be hiring. It doesn't mean he has all the skills or qualifications to lead this large district.
Michelle

I would still like to know if Mr. Carvalho has been paid any money by Scholastic for speaking engagements. Is Reading 180 a requirement in his district? If so, there is certainly a conflict of interest and would he leave our district when Scholastic needs another salesman???
Michelle

I noticed that termie stayed away from this string. He must be getting nervous.

[Chelsea34]

I am so glad that our Board had enough vision to see through all of the negative statements put forward by some. Carvalho is the best choice. I hope we are lucky enough to get him. He is an experienced leader.

[MaxieBlack]

I understand that Carol Cook, Jane Gallucci, Nancy Bostock, and Janet Clark wanted to bring Carvalho back. Good decision ladies. Carvalho has been a teacher, he has been a leader at the district level for years. He has great experience in an urban setting and I think he will make a great fit for Pinellas.

[Frans van Haaren]

Jeffrey:

Can you post the link to the transcript of the School Board's meeting? That would provide us with some more background information. Also, are there any specific questions that will be asked during the next round of interviews? If not, would it be worth our while to start getting a list together?

[Concerned Citizen]

After watching the interviews and researching on the web, Carvalho is the one. What makes him standout from the other two is his legislative and budget experience. We need someone who really understands the legislative process and can leverage resources during these tough economic times. As Hazel said, he's a dynamic leader, and he will take our district to the next level.

[Hazel]

John
What I mean when I say all students, is all students; those who fall through the cracks as well as the high achievers. I strongly suggest you watch Carvalho's interview. One of the things that I really liked was that he said on several occasions that we have to raise the floor (bring up the low achievers), but at the same time we have to raise the ceiling (continue to push the high achievers to meet their true potential). This guy is one of the few people I have heard who gets that you can't hold back the top achievers, but we will all be in trouble in the long run if we don't start really educating the african-american students and hispanic children.

[little joe]

I've told you guys all you need to know about Carvahlo, you'll have to make up your own mind.
All I can say to the teachers is: "caveat emptor".
Hoss sounds like he knows what's going on.

[Hoss]

Carvalho=Wilcox

[john]

Hazel, by your comment "addressing all of our students" you imply that some students aren't getting a fair shake. Are you referring to Illegals? They don't belong in a public school funded by tax dollars. Are you referring to black students? They already have made a mess of the school district by the incessant busing and lawsuits. You must mean the forgotten students, the achievers who have to edure the dumbing down of the enitre school system. Also, replace the dumber than a can of rocks guidance counselors. Twelve year olds could do a better job. The future of America does not depend on educating those that don't want to learn, the future depends on those that do.

Does anyone know how the board voted on Carvalho? The article indicates 5 members wanted to invite him back, I am curious as to which 2 members did not favor his return.

Thanks

[Hazel]

Carvalho was the best candidate from the interviews. Janssen needs to be afforded the opportunity to finish the process but I think Carvalho will have her outclassed and it will be evident during an open question and answer session. I don't think that Gleditch belongs in the mix anymore but I can see 2:04's point about including him. I am excited about the prospect of a young dynamic leader like Carvalho coming to Pinellas and instituting some educational programs that will address all of our students. I will be watching with much interest and I plan to attend the forum.

I agree, Michelle, that Carvalho and Janssen were the top two, but I also know that the board (the public's interest) is much better protected in their search process to keep three candidates alive. I hope that they are able to get their top choice and that the board will form a consensus on the obvious pick. However, I have seen many strange things happen at the end of a search.

[Michelle]

I watched the video interviews. Why they are bringing Gledich back is beyond me. If 4 said no initially then that should have been it. The final two are Janssen and Carvalho, as it should be according to what I watched.

[Ben]

Very Good decision. Now the community will have an opportunity to meet the three remaining candidates and I suspect that the Carvalho fellow will rise to the top. I am very much looking forward to the public forum.

This is wonderful. I can't wait for termie to choke on this one. He has a lot of practice in being wrong.

I wonder which one he thinks will get it or which one(s) he would support as being both well intentioned and well qualified.