Given the unfortunate circumstances, this episode ended about as well as it could have.
Fayette County Schools Superintendent Tom Shelton chose to resign his post. He did the math. He not only showed some ability to predict the electoral outcome in advance, but he used his time wisely and landed in exactly the right spot: The Kentucky Association of School Superintendents. From his new perch, Shelton will advocate for more equitable and adequate funding for Kentucky school children. (In fact, I'm anxiously awaiting a copy of the Council for Better Education's new study.) The extent to which "KASS is poised to become the professional organization of choice for school superintendents," remains to be seen, but I like his chances. Shelton is an important voice for better schools.
The Fayette County Board of Education members can now turn their attention to finding a steady hand for the wheel.
Valarie Honeycutt Spears' write-up in the Herald-Leader is a fair and accurate rendering of the public issues surrounding the Shelton administration, 2011-2014.
This from the Herald-Leader:
Fayette County schools Superintendent Tom Shelton announces his resignation
Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Tom Shelton, who has led Kentucky's second largest school district since 2011, announced Thursday that he is resigning to become executive director of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents.
"Although I did not enter into this decision lightly, I am very excited by the opportunity to work with other superintendents and impact educational improvement on a broader scale," Shelton said in a news release.
"In order for Kentucky to continue its progress in education, we must advocate at the state level for better funding of our classrooms throughout Kentucky."
Shelton has had a tumultuous year, marked by budget cuts and a state audit of the district's finances that found chronic mismanagement.
After that, school board members Amanda Ferguson and Doug Barnett expressed doubt about his continuing as head of the district when his contract ended in June 2015. While three other members said they supported Shelton, Barnett said that Shelton had "failed miserably." Both Ferguson and Barnett were re-elected in Tuesday's general election.
Shelton interviewed for and accepted the superintendent's association position Tuesday afternoon, after a unanimous vote of the 22-member board of directors of the state's largest professional association of school superintendents, officials said in a news release.
Ferguson said Thursday night that she did not know if the concerns she and Barnett had expressed were a factor in Shelton's leaving.
"Obviously that is the speculation but you would have to ask Tom about that," said Ferguson. "His letter said that he accepted the new position early Tuesday afternoon, before any election results were in, and I believe that wording was intentional. Only Tom can answer whether that is the full story. Also, there were far more people than just Doug and me who had concerns about Tom's ability to lead the district."
Shelton's last official day will be Dec. 31. District spokeswoman Lisa Deffendall said Shelton's last work day would be Dec. 12.
"While I will miss being a part of the team here in the Fayette County Public Schools, I am confident that our school district will maintain a focus on kids," Shelton said.
"We have talented and committed employees who truly care about all children. We have families who want to work side by side with us to educate all children. We have unparalleled community support and resources. We have a board of education that will go to the mat for students."
Shelton expressed similar comments in an email to parents.
Deffendall said Shelton had no comment beyond his statements in a news release.
Board chairman John Price thanked Shelton for his service and said the district would rally to find a new leader.
"I believe every member of our school board team is committed to doing what is best for our students, employees, families and community," Price said.
Teaching and learning in classrooms and schools throughout the district will remain strong, Price said.
The school board will have to meet to begin taking steps to find the next superintendent, Price said. The board has a planning meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday.
The new superintendent will have to lead the district as it implements a new plan to redraw school assignment boundaries, opens a new high school, and makes new efforts to close the achievement gap for poor, disabled and minority students.
Under Kentucky law, a superintendent screening committee of two teachers, one board of education member, one principal, one parent and one classified employee must be formed to assist the school board.
"With the support of the board, I anticipate that we would have a very open process with lots of community involvement," Price said.
Budget issues
Shelton, a certified public accountant with a doctorate in education, drew concerns from parents and teachers earlier this year when he announced a $20 million budget cut.
Kentucky State Auditor Adam Edelen began investigating in May after district budget director Julane Mullins made allegations that centered on a $20 million discrepancy in the budget. In a 64-page report, Edelen said accounting errors were contributing factors in the district's budget cuts.
Edelen's examination found no criminal wrongdoing but cited "chronic mismanagement" of the district's budget and finances.
The audit detailed 10 key findings, including weaknesses in budget and financial-management processes, administrative and management salary increases that outpaced those of other district employees, excessive and unnecessary travel, misuse of a trust fund, and conflicts of interest.
Shelton initially expressed irritation because he thought some findings contained inaccuracies. But he fairly quickly changed his position and said that the most important thing was fixing the problems the examination revealed. The new superintendent could also have to lead the district's efforts to resolve those issues.
Previous success
Shelton, 50, came to Fayette County the same year he was named Kentucky's school superintendent of the year.
He followed Stu Silberman, who became executive director of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, a non-profit education advocacy group.
Silberman recruited Shelton to work for the Daviess County Schools and mentored him in the mid-1990s, when Silberman was running that district.
When Silberman came to Lexington in 2004 to become superintendent, Daviess County named Shelton as Silberman's successor.
Shelton served for three years as director of business and finance, six years as assistant superintendent for finance and operations, and seven years as superintendent in Daviess County.
Shelton chairs Kentucky's Council for Better Education, an advocacy group; is chairman of the board of the Kentucky Teachers Retirement System; represents Kentucky on the Governing Board of the American Association of School Administrators, and is a faculty member at the University of Kentucky College of Education.
Silberman said Thursday he thought Shelton would do a "great job" with the superintendents association because he had held numerous state level leadership roles and had trained superintendents for the last 10 years.
Anthony Strong, KASS president and superintendent of Pendleton County Schools, said that organization's board of directors "believes that Tom possesses the knowledge, skills and proven experience needed to help KASS leverage collaborative resources and support as together we accelerate the success of Kentucky public schools.
"Dr. Shelton will be a unifying force at a time when collaboration and advocacy are at a premium," Strong said.
Shelton said in a news release that "KASS is poised to become the professional organization of choice for school superintendents, and I am honored to be able to join this team as we advocate with one voice for adequate resources and a brighter future for public education."
10 comments:
What's his new salary?
As the parent of a child at Morton, I am pleased shelton is gone. I have been vocal in my displeasure to all the testing that goes on in our schools, and the superintendent didn't seem to think this test preparation was being done to inflate that schools test scores. I do hope shelton will take some of the principals with him wherever he goes. Amanda, you got my vote, now do something to fix that school and the incessant test prep that goes on there.
Regarding the first reader's question:
The 2013 operating budget of KASS is $362,469, about 7% of 1 % of the 500 million dollar FCPS budget. Thought of another way, KASS could operate for 55 years for the 20 million dollar irregularity in the FCPS budget for which Shelton is responsible.
The executive salary is $75K. I realize this is only a third of Shelton's current salary but it is still very substantial money and generous pay for an organization with only 170 members.
You can check for yourself using the Propublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Mike Winkler
No, a real proper ending would be him leaving along with all the chiefs in tow. Dragging their high priced salaries behind them. We need a real leader, a real structure, a competent checks and balances structure.
Morale is down across all the district, don't think it doesn't trickle to student performance.
If anything is going to change within FCPS subsequent to Shelton's resignation, two things are essential. First, Shelton must have absolutely no direct input into who will be hired as the next superintendent of FCPS. Second, Shelton must have absolutely no influence of any kind regarding the hiring of the next superintendent. Otherwise, we will simply end up with the same level of cronyism and incompetence that we had with Shelton.
Moreover, if we are to ever see an improvement in education within FCPS, it would be to the great advantage of FCPS that the next superintendent not be someone within this state. Otherwise, we will simply see the identical mindset as we have seen during the tenures of the past several superintendents. Perhaps it would be quite wise to hire someone from a state that currently has a reputation for actual success in educational improvement.
I am looking forward to Shelton's next installment of Lessons From the Road. It is such an apt title, he has always been on the road taking trips, not actually being in the schools in which he oversees.... The last issue should focus on the theme of "You can always run away from your troubles, and leave everyone else behind."
I am saddened that *any* state organization would hire him as their executive director, regardless of salary. When looking at the whole picture, Shelton is leaving FCPS mid-year; he has not provided a "real" explanation for the recent audit nor has he shown how the issues will be corrected; he is leaving days after a school board election that, seemingly, wasn't in his favor. Very disappointing...
I can't agree completely with the last post. I think we will have many qualified people in Kentucky. However, it goes without saying that Shelton should simply go away and not influence the search.
I am more concerned about Board members that support hiring of "Shelton" types. I would much prefer that Ferguson or Barnett be on the selection committee.
What is most important is that the members of the community focus on this issue and parse the candidates. We need to show up to every school board meeting and weigh in on the process.
I encourage the readers of Richard's blog to attend the School Board Meeting on Monday. To speak one must sign up early. The meeting starts at 530 PM so arrive at 520 PM!
I will be there and would like to meet as many like minded parents as possible.
Mike Winkler
We Absolutely do need Lu Young to replace Dr. Shelton.
Dear mr Winkler, i appreciate your advocacy. Please keep in mind that teachers Need to be taken into Account in the Hirimg of sheltons successor. We are overburned as it is. The Achievement Gap can only close if the next Head says to our Parents that closing the Gap Means that Parents Must insist their do thei homework, Must insist their children behave in School, and That their Kids must read, read, read at home. Teachers cannot do in all. Shelton and Silberman Wanted us to Cure everything without support.
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