St. Petersburg group supports Janssen

An umbrella group representing several organizations in St. Petersburg's black community announced this morning that it wants to see interim school superintendent Julie Janssen, left, selected as superintendent.

The group cited the amendable posture Janssen has taken this summer in mediation sessions over the 1964 federal desegregation case that, while over, still has some effect on the district's operations. The group -- Concerned Organizations for Quality Education for Black Students (COQEBS) -- initiated the mediation when Clayton Wilcox was superintendent, saying the district was not properly educating black students and had not adhered to the court order that came out of the federal case. Under Wilcox, efforts to resolve the dispute hit a stalemate. But members of COQEBS said in a news conference that Janssen, while interim superintendent this summer, had agreed to work with them.

"She has shown a full understanding of the court order and what it can do for black kids," said Watson Haynes, right, co-chair of COQEBS. Standing with the group was Goliath Davis, deputy St. Petersburg mayor, who said Janssen was "uniquely qualified" to be the next superintendent. "She knows us, she knows the system, she knows where the problems are," Davis said, adding: "What's unique about Dr. Janssen is the extent to which she's been able to reach out."

The School Board conducts its second interview this afternoon with Alberto Carvalho, an associate superintendent for Miami-Dade schools, who is one of the three finalists for the job. The board conducted second interviews Monday with Janssen and the other finalist, Nicholas Gledich, chief of operations for Orange County schools.

The board will hear input from the public tonight at its regular meeting (starting at 5 p.m.), then select a superintendent in a 9 a.m. workshop Wednesday. The public also will be able to comment when the board meets at 11 a.m. Wednesday to ratify its decision.

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Comments

We should just let people vote on who the superintendent is.

Janssen on teacher morale: "As Howard Hinesley, one time super [studder studder] intendent once said, 'each person is responsible for their own morale'..."

Janssen on district improvement: "We're already doing so many wonderful things."

Janssen on getting teacher input: "I already know almost everybody in the district."

Janssen on why she should be superintendent: "I've already done the job for several months."

SP Times on why Janssen should have the job: "...she already has some on-the-job training and has learned from her mistakes..."

How many mistakes can you make maintaining status quo? The mistake about letting the Education Foundation run the district for you or the mistake about not being allowed to apply for the full time position? What about the mistake of throwing a school board member a fundraiser under the guise of a boys and girls club event and using students to entertain while district staff cook at the big shin dig where fellow school board members yack it up while watching the sunset?

Which mistake is worst?

Which mistake shows an improvement in judgement over her short tenure?

Remember, the Times also recommended Wilcox.

Either of the two male candidates would serve the district well. One would provide honesty and integrity in doses this district hasn't seen in decades with an approach to leadership that takes away wiggle room from slimy snakes. The other, while his honesty is not in question, would provide a broader view of education allowing Pinellas to see past the gulf beaches' horizon.

I say hire the guy from Miami as the superintendent and BEG the other one to come in as the Deputy Superintendent. Calv...Del Oak Tree could branch out for the district on behalf of students and education policy and the other guy could stick close to home retraining our administrators about how to tell the truth and redefine transparency post Wilcox!

Janssen on budgeting: "We all, Harry, you too-we principals know how to hide money."

Excellent forum. Thank you Pinellas Education Foundation for allowing the public to meet the candidates!

Now which one of those Times editors was at the forum writing that lovely piece for this morning's paper? How did they come to the Janssen conclusion when the real choices were so much more obvious?

[Joe]

I agree. I am so tired of the 'achievement gap crap.' The students are all in the room together. The teacher teaches......the student either applies themselves or they don't. There are plenty of services for those people who have socio-economic problem, that if they want to succeed, they will. No more excuses.

[Richard]

The only way to improve the education of the black students is to get them to show up for class and apply themselves. What a unique concept.

[teacher]

Below is Janssens solution to the middle school nightmare we have happening right now.
"a seven day rotation of five daily classes, 2 90-minute and 3 45-minute periods, with a true “flip-flop dimension.” During this seven day rotation every single class would meet once during first period, once during 2nd period, etc…. Also, during the seven day rotation, teachers would have 2 days of 90 minute planning, 3 days of 45 minute planning, and 2 days with no planning…with and end result of having an average of 45 minutes of planning during the cycle"

Are you kidding me?????

[Lynn]

I was at the meeting last night too. I did not hear an African American say they wanted Janssen either. As a matter of fact those that stood to clap for her were from the Foundation and others from their "in" croud. If people listed last night they would not be looking the "home grown" candidate.

[teacher]

I wish they had spoken up before the district spent $25,000+ that they didnt have on a national search. Maybe then my insurance wouldn't have gone up!

[a FEMINIST]

There were a dozen or more representatives of the African American community at last night's superintendent candidate forum. Not one mentioned they wanted Janssen.

Overlooking the two highly qualified male candidates in favor of a marginally qualified, home grown yes woman would be detrimental to all Pinellas students. African Americans included.

[TFA]

Who is more stupid here... "saying the district was not properly educating black students". I did not know we seperated the lights & darks in the classroom. I thought it was one teacher with all the students in one class. If they can't get it, why is it always discrimination???

[GR]

I still think if we want change in our schools, we should look outside, instead of one of Wilcox's hand picked cronies!

Having an all woman school board and a woman Superintendent, throws away the diversity theory doesn't it?

Lastly, so what if she agrees to meet with the Haynes led COQEBS, they really don't matter. As for the loudmouth UHRUHS, this is your time to do something constructive for your community and civilly act as if you want something good for your people, yet, you are no were around, not too surprising though!