By Dave Matlow
More than 40 persons gathered today in the Westport Town Hall auditorium for the second session to give public input into the search for a successor for retiring Superintendent of Schools Elliott Landon.
More than 40 persons, most from PTAs, attended today’s session at Westport Town Hall. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
John Chambers, an associate of Hazard, Young, Attea Associates, a Rosemont, Illinois-based search firm, led the session. It followed one attended by about 10 persons on Sept. 1 at Saugatuck Elementary School. (See WestportNow, Sept, 1, 2015)
Chambers, a former school superintendent at New York school systems in Byram Hill and Bronxville, said today’s turnout was unusually large and contrasted with the much smaller attendance at the first session held in evening hours.
He said it was good that Landon gave a year notice, which he said allows for a thorough search for his replacement.
The attendees voiced a range of comments about the selection process of the next superintendent. Among the comments, “We need someone who will provide transparency and accessibility,” “We need someone to listen and also to be heard,” “We’d like someone to whom we write a letter that gets a response.”
Other comments included: “We need more than a data-driven culture, we want to assure an overall education.” And, “Someone who will not be subject to political interests.”
Chambers asked the attendees to raise their hands in repose to several questions —“How many here today are involved with PTA?” A majority raised a hand. “How many believe the candidates should have experience in a high performing school environment?” Only a few raised a hand.
One attendee punctuated the last question with “We don’t think the candidates should be limited to having had experience in another upscale town.”
Chambers said the accumulated feedback from the two public meetings will be presented at the Board of Education meeting on Oct. 5.
Landon, who has held his post for 17 years, announced he will retire at the end of this academic year.
