State board must deal with Erwin flap

This from the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer (subscription) 5 May 2007:

The Kentucky board of education has a big problem, not entirely of its own making, but a big problem nevertheless. And it is a problem that must be resolved. Barbara Erwin, the woman selected by the board to be Kentucky's next commissioner of education, has been hit with harsh criticism by parents and board members in districts she has headed in the past 13 years.

Erwin, who now leads the 15,000-student Community Unit District 303 in St. Charles, Ill., previously served as superintendent of school systems in Scottsdale, Ariz.; Allen, Texas; and the Tipton Community School Corp. in Tipton, Ind.

A St. Charles parent accused Erwin of coming into districts, creating turmoil and leaving things in disarray. "You don't come in and explode the place and leave the place in rubble," Bill Page said. A former Scottsdale school board member said some of Erwin's moves deepened divisions within the district. Another former member of that board said morale in the district "went in the sewer" and called Erwin dictatorial.In Texas, according to newspaper reports, critics said teachers and staff members quit their jobs in the Allen district because the atmosphere was intimidating, with Erwin to blame.

This comes at the same time a mistake was found in the resume Erwin provided Kentucky officials. It stated she was named Texas Superintendent of the Year in consecutive years. It was true for the first year but not the second. She said it was simply a mistake by someone who typed her resume.

As for the criticisms hurled at her by parents and former board members, Erwin defended herself by saying she made difficult decisions that didn't please everyone.We don't know if Erwin is a strong, change-agent leader unafraid of making tough decisions for the betterment of student learning or a heavy-handed administrator who insists on having her way to the detriment of learning. We know she is credited for improved test scores and higher achievement in Illinois and Texas, and she's also noted for introducing innovative uses of technology.

We also wonder if gender bias is playing a part. Men are often hailed as strong leaders when they shake things up to get desired results. When women do the same thing, they sometimes hit a wall of resistance.

The state school board is correct to say that Erwin's accomplishments should not be overlooked amid criticisms. But we question the so-called thorough research into Erwin's background performed by the search firm the board hired. This information came as a surprise, and it should not have.

We couldn't agree more with Bob Sexton, director of the Prichard Committee on Education, who said Thursday that the poor job done by the search firm put the state board in a bad spot.It is now up to the school board to step back and evaluate everything that has happened and determine the truth, with Erwin given every opportunity to respond to the criticism. To simply rely on the previous report of the search firm will not suffice for a decision of this importance.