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PM Extra Filed 2/4/02, 2:00 PM:The Board of Education has released to WPCNR the complete text of the Hazard Young Attea & Associates Superintendent Profile presented to the Board last week on January 29. WPCNR is pleased to present the report in its entirety.
Leadership Profile
White Plains Public Schools
White Plains, New York
Introduction
This report represents the findings of the Leadership Profile Assessment conducted by the Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates, Ltd (HYA) for the White Plains Public Schools on January 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16 and 17, 2002.
Upon appointment of the firm as consultants to the Board in its search for a new superintendent, an assessment instrument was prepared to structure data collected from Board designated individuals and groups. 658 people were interviewed by or had meetings with Deborah Raizes, Diana McCauley, Maria Cabral and John Whritner over the seven days the consultants were in the district.
In addition to individually interviewing board members and other central office personnel, the consultants met with teachers, union leaders, administrators, realtors, parents, students, support staff, and representatives of local government. Four community forums provided lively dialogue with members of the community. Meetings at Centro Hispano and Bethel Baptist attracted over 200 residents apiece. 179 completed questionnaires provided equally valuable information.
In developing the leadership profile, the consultants sought opinions,
recommendations and general comments with respect to the preferred candidate traits and qualifications as well as District strengths, issues and concerns. All of these are factors that could bear upon the future
leadership requirements and influence the selection criteria for the next superintendent of schools.
It was agreed at the outset that the consultants would report the findings to the Board in written and oral form enabling the Board to use the data as it proceeds to define the qualifications sought in the next superintendent.
At the interviews and meetings, the consultants noted that the Board was seeking the views of a wide range of people so that the Board could determine the leadership characteristics and selection criteria to be used in the search. The Board extended their invitation to these sessions to a far wider listing than has been the norm in other searches we have conducted. Given the large response to the questionnaire and the number we met with and interviewed, the consultants feel comfortable with their findings.
The assessment instrument and the interviews provide the framework for reporting views expressed to the consultants. To highlight broad themes within each topic, data was aggregated into response groups. Under the category “consistent” are comments heard frequently from most of the groups. Comments raised by only one or two groups are listed under the respective groups designated on the Leadership Profile Assessment Form: Board, administration, faculty, support staff, students, community, and parents. Under each of these groups, the comments heard or provided with some regularity are
listed alphabetically. It should be emphasized that the data are not a
scientific sampling nor should they necessarily be viewed as representing the majority opinion of a group.
Items are included if, in the consultants’ judgment, they were repeated
sufficiently often to warrant the Board’s attention.
We wish to express our appreciation to those with whom we met for their cordiality during our visit to the White Plains Public Schools. We
especially want to thank Michele Schoenfeld, the Clerk of the District and the Board, for her invaluable assistance in this project. We thank the Board of Education for expanding our opportunities beyond the norm enabling us to meet with large numbers in the community. Also, our thanks to the many respondents whose concern for the schools and commitment to educational excellence were evident as they provided us with their perspective on their community and their public schools.
Maria Cabral
Diana McCauley
Deborah Raizes
John A. Whritner
January 29, 2002
Strengths of the District
What do you consider to be the most significant strengths of the White
Plains Public Schools?
Consistent
Breadth of course offerings, Dedicated staff, Diversity of the student body, Diversity within the community, extensive offerings for student enrichment and extra-curricular programs, Facilities, Long-standing community support for schools, Resources – human and financial
Teachers
Staff development, Support Staff, Student assistance programs
Parents
School Choice, Community.
Administration
School Choice
Throughout this report, comments listed under “Consistent” were provided by most or all groups. The comments listed under the respective groups are in addition to those under “consistent.” Items are listed alphabetically.
Concerns
What do you consider to be the most important issues or concerns facing the White Plains Public Schools?
Consistent
Board of Education – Trust lacking because of non-renewal of current superintendent, Bright flight,
Diversity of student body, Meeting State standards with a changing student body, Non-English speaking population increasing – need for additional and more appropriate programs, Public relations, State testing – the pressure of and poor results.
Board
Increasing expectations for all students
Administration
Morale, Staff turnover
Teachers
Many new staff, Large number of new administrators
Support Staff
State & Federal mandates
Parents
New (to district) administrators
Community
Low test scores, Parental involvement, Safety, Tenured staff – holding accountable
Students
Guidance Department overloaded
What kind of administrative leadership should the next superintendent offer in terms of special expertise?
Consistent
Board/Superintendent relations
Communicator – written and oral
Experience as a superintendent
Increasing test scores
Public relations
Working with a diverse student population
Board
A proven track record
Choosing and mentoring administrators
Faculty
Classroom experience
Intelligent/articulate
Community
Experience as a teacher and administrator
Experience in a large, diverse district
Hold self and staff accountable
Knowledge of Spanish
Strong academic background – proven intelligence
Students
Has a plan of action for improvement of the system
What kind of administrative style should the next superintendent offer?
Consistent
Approachable/personable, Believes that all children can learn, Healer,
Listener, People person, Prefer that the candidate live in White Plains,
Visible, Visionary
Board
Educational leader, Proven intelligence
Administrators
Decisive, Team Builder
Faculty
Believes education is more than testing, Child centered
Parents
Committed to academic excellence, Effective leader, Innovative
Community
Appreciates diversity and understands different cultures, Courage of convictions, Love of kids – a student advocate, Politically savvy
Summary
The Board of Education of the White Plains Public Schools is to be
complimented for reaching out to the community and encouraging a widespread response to the Leadership Profile Assessment form and to attendance at various focus groups. Four consultants were in the district over parts or all of seven days. Interviews were held with individuals and large groups.
Four community forums were held at different times of the day and in
different venues. 658 members of the community and staff had their voices heard directly in this process. This is an extraordinary number of people who came forth to express their views. Frankly, in the four years that we have been doing searches in a variety of communities, this represents the largest overall turnout that we have witnessed.
This is a credit to the Board that enabled this number of meetings to be held and to the community for the way it responded. We also received 179 completed questionnaires which also is a relatively large number. Because of these numbers we have greater assurance in our report being reflective of large segments of the White Plains community.
The consultants were impressed by the knowledge of the schools and the passion for school success exhibited by those with whom we met. Many in the community are interested in bringing an outstanding educator to White Plains to succeed Dr. Yanofsky.
There were many strong points highlighted by those with whom we met and those who responded to the survey. There is pride in the community’s socio-economic and racial diversity and the success the schools have had with students of varying abilities and from various backgrounds. There has been tremendous community support for the schools through passage of annual budgets at very adequate levels and through passage of recent construction bonds. The facilities are viewed as being in good shape and meeting current codes and needs. The teaching and administrative staff are seen as exemplary. Much work has gone into recruiting and training staff and the results have shown. Staff have plentiful resources available to do their
job. There are extensive offerings available to students of varying
backgrounds and abilities and at all levels of the system. School Choice is an accepted part of the schools and we heard strong support for this program.
White Plains takes great pride in its schools and their long tradition of
success. The 6,700 students in the district have been the beneficiaries of strong community support over the years. The district has many of the issues created by a diverse student population but is almost unique in its ability to generate resources to respond to student needs and still maintain a relatively low tax base.
There are certainly many positives that make White Plains Public Schools very attractive for superintendent candidates. In looking to Issues and Concerns, the concern over the non-renewal of the current superintendent’s contract still looms large in many minds. However, it was not as great as we anticipated. There is still residual anger but also a general turning of the corner. People were, for the most part, able to concentrate on what we should be seeking in the new superintendent.
Diversity is recognized as a two-edged sword. Many parents move to White Plains believing the school population represents the “real world” their children will face as adults. However, this also increases demand for programs to meet the needs of “all” children. With over 36% of the student body Hispanic, there is a need for programs to quickly acclimate these students to the American language and culture. Likewise, there is a need for programming for the “average” and excelling students to hold onto parents and maintain racial balance. It came under many terms but the idea
of “bright flight” is a concern to many, particularly in light of White
Plains’ exemplary record at maintaining balance over many years.
Diversity is also a concern relating to testing. Many believe that given
the commitment of resources, test results should be better. There is a call for accountability, particularly given what some see as high teacher salaries in the district. Others counter that there is too much of a focus on testing and this sometimes interferes with worthwhile educational goals.
There is no doubt that these arguments will intensify as the Federal
government gets into testing and the stakes conceivably move higher and the time devoted to testing extends further.
Another consistent concern is the districts’ perceived failure to toot its
horn. There is a sense that many of the successes in the schools are not known because they are not told. Realtors were open in feeling that White Plains was losing the PR war to surrounding districts.
Another concern that surfaced among several groups was the large number of new teachers coming into the district due to new programs and retirements, and the significant number of administrators relatively new to the system.
All of the new players need mentoring and supervision so that the high
quality of education is maintained.
In looking at criteria, there is a majority sense that the new CEO of the
White Plains Public Schools should have successful experience as a
superintendent, preferably in a district with a diverse population. This
was an area of agreement between members of the Board and other respondent groups. In looking at expertise, as might be expected, people are looking for someone who can resolve conflict and is a communicator. They seek someone adept at public relations.
Interestingly, representatives from the faculty, the Board and the
community, spoke of the need for someone with classroom teaching experience.
These groups also highlighted intelligence and a strong academic background as preferences. Community members also want someone who will hold staff accountable.
In looking at style, respondents noted that they want someone who truly
believes that all children can learn. All groups are desirous of a healer
who can bring the community and the Board back together. There is great support for having an educational leader who listens to others, is
collaborative in style and is a “people person.” Community and staff are united in seeking someone who is visible in the schools and in the
community. All groups spoke of wanting someone who is approachable and personable and who can create a vision for the system and move everyone toward that vision.
A parent spoke of wanting someone who would serve as “a voice for the voiceless.” There needs to be a push for academic excellence. All groups are looking for leadership.
There is a preference that the new superintendent live in White Plains.
There is certainly pride in what has been accomplished in the schools of White Plains. The district has been blessed with educational leaders who have had longevity and leadership skills. Great strides have been made over the past few years and people feel good about how resources are being used.
However, there is also a realization that the perception of quality schools is a battle that must be continually fought.
It is the view of the consultants that the pride in past accomplishments is more than justified. Some members of staff and community feel wounded by the Board’s action but there is also a looking ahead to the kind of leadership the community needs as it enters a new era.
We wish to thank the Board, the staff, the students and all in White Plains who have been so open and helpful in their comments. We have a strong understanding of what is needed to move the schools forward. We will keep the Board of Education fully informed on our progress in finding your next superintendent and know that they will share this information with the general public as is appropriate while maintaining candidate confidentiality.
The White Plains Public Schools will offer any candidate many challenges and opportunities. We believe the successful candidate will find a community supportive of its schools and eager for educational improvement for the benefit of all of its children.
Sincerely,
Deborah Raizes
JohnWhritner
For HYA – (Hazard Young Attea & Associates, Ltd. January 29, 2002
The “Associated Press of White Plains:” L to R, Alex Philippidis, Host John Bailey, Jim Benerofe. The inquiring trio have just taped their 50th White Plains Week program which airs Friday evening at 7:30 PM.