Commentary
We are told the search for a new state education commissioner to replace an excellent Gene Wilhoit has gone according to plan. If so - it must be a strange plan.
State board chairman Keith Travis told the Herald-Leader "When we started the search process the entire board agreed on an entire process to go through” because they wanted to get a large number of qualified applicants while ensuring their confidentiality. But when the state board met in executive session, narrowing its commissioner search down to three individuals they refused to release the names, telling WHAS reporter Mark Hebert that the board only planned to release the name of one finalist, the person the school board planned to hire.
All indications were that the state board was following the Barnhart plan. Everything was hush, hush. But the board of education was not reviewing the resumes of any Billy Ds or Billy Gs. Apparently, no sitting commissioners viewed Kentucky as a better place to go to advance their careers. As the herald-Leader reminds us, Kentucky's first Education Commissioner Thomas Boysen had led the 390,000-student San Diego schools made up of 43 districts. Wilmer Cody had been state superintendent in Louisiana and a local superintendent in Birmingham, Ala., and Montgomery County, Md. Gene Wilhoit had been head of the Arkansas schools and a deputy commissioner in Kentucky.
Perhaps this was to be expected. While there are many in the Commonwealth who continue to sense the energy of reform and work doggedly to build a strong system of schools, save last year, there hasn’t been a financial investment commensurate with Kentucky’s world-class rhetoric; Kentucky has failed to keep pace. Still, Standard & Poor’s reports that given the present level of investment, Kentucky is getting a fairly good return. It appears that Wilhoit left for greener pastures, not a greater challenge. All things considered, what caliber of replacement was Kentucky likely to attract?
Much to his credit, Governor Ernie Fletcher urged the board to name their three finalists publicly so that citizens, and particularly, state lawmakers could offer their opinions. "Public awareness of this important selection promotes dialogue and disclosure that otherwise would be lost, two critical components in assuring the selection of the best candidate," the governor said. Disclosure is particularly important. There have been enough cases, where failure to adhere to the best principles of due diligence have haunted other selection processes, that we should have known better. Public scrutiny can, and does help.
Following the governor’s plea, the board did announce their 3 finalists - claiming unconvincingly, that they planned to do so all along.
I did not know any of the candidates; but I did have some time that week. I researched the press clippings for all three, and using the state board’s input form, submitted a summary of my findings and a reference to Kentucky School News and Commentary, where more information could be found.
KDE Communication Director Lisa Gross confirmed that the board received and discussed all public input. What is less certain is whether the state board really wanted it.
As quickly as possible, the board returned to its original plan and named a single finalist. – Barbara Erwin. Some of Erwin’s "press" generated discussion and concern.
State board chairman Keith Travis told the Courier-Journal he didn't know anything about that history.
Then, in the wake of the MIT scandal, came the issue of whether Erwin had embellished her resume.
So here we are.
The state board is scheduled to finalize their decision this Wednesday in Bowling Green. Board member Doug Hubbard seems to be genuinely concerned and announced that he wanted Erwin to explain. He has since upped the ante, and called for her to withdraw. Others seem to be locked in on her positives while minimizing her negatives; like trying to sell a mansion that just got a bad inspection report. We need a decision based on what’s best for our children and Kentucky’s future economy. We need a commissioner who inspires confidence - not only in their abilities, but also in their judgment, integrity and ability to work harmoniously with others.
It doesn’t help when board members confuse the issue. It was disappointing when Rev. C. B. Akins chastened critics of the selection process last week telling WKYT, "If they know some perfect people who would be candidates for the job, we'd be interested in interviewing them, but until Jesus comes back, I doubt that we're going to find one."
But the issue isn't whether Erwin, or any candidate is perfect. None of the three finalists matched the board's pre-established criteria.
The issue is whether the state board of education outsourced its responsibilities for due diligence to its search firm, Ray & Associates, who seem to have advised secrecy, which resulted in the present situation. Confidentiality is important, but not more important than Kentucky's need to find genuine confidence in the new commissioner, whoever that may be.
This is one time they should have listened to Ernie. Had that occurred, the board would still be evaluating the input, and could approach Wednesday's meeting with confidence and solidarity.
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