Cape schools requires strong but flexible leader
The sudden departure of Cape Superintendent Kevin Carson puts a spotlight on the role of the school board at a time schools are under intense scrutiny.
A decade of No Child Left Behind testing followed by the Race to the Top initiative testifies to expectations nationwide that schools must improve.
American public schools were once a model of public education worldwide, but today, they are under intense pressure to graduate students who are ready for college or work and to close the achievement gap between groups of high-achieving students and their lower-achieving classmates.
Cape Henlopen is fortunate to have one of the highest tax bases in the state. Cape schools are well funded; in return, Cape parents and taxpayers demand excellence.
The question is, what is the best way to achieve it?
When Carson was hired, after a sophisticated search process, he was lauded as highly successful at one of the state’s far-less-wealthy districts, a person whose strengths included experience and strong communication skills. Yet
10 months into his tenure, Carson has stepped down, citing differences in management style. Neither he nor the board is pointing to a specific reason for his departure, but it appears clear the board is taking an active role not only in setting policy, but also in day-to-day matters related to staffing and student safety.
Administrators need the authority to make decisions and lead. Yet, in the aftermath of Wall Street’s risky investment schemes and the near collapse of the banking system, boards at many levels are demanding more accountability and assuming more responsibility.
The Cape Henlopen school board appears to be following suit. Its next superintendent should expect intense scrutiny and high expectations for decisive, hands-on management. This board has signaled it wants to be involved in hiring and staffing decisions and won’t hesitate to take any action it deems warranted.
Standing at the helm of one of the state’s premier districts will always be a tough job, and the expectations of this board won’t make it any easier.
Whoever takes the post must be decisive enough to suit this board’s sense of urgency, yet flexible enough to give the board the influence it clearly demands.
