School board reaching out to silent public

Only 82 people out of a population of more than 23,000 people responded to an online survey. Of those, 43 percent are district employees.

In Pottstown’s search for a new school superintendent, the importance of involving parents and taxpayers has been encouraged time and again.

In recent years, the school district has nearly always promoted from within when the top job is open. While we have no quarrel with the decisions of the past, residents can be left wondering who’s out there and what new ideas and school management expertise other candidates can offer.

Along with the notion of looking beyond who we know and hiring the way it’s always been done, it is also important to hire a superintendent who brings the qualities and understands the priorities of Pottstown. The school board has not always involved the public in those conversations.

This time in a search to replace retiring Superintendent Jeff Sparagana, the board decided to conduct a professional search and to get public input.

Sadly, the public doesn’t seem to care.

Only 82 people out of a population of more than 23,000 people responded to an online survey. The survey was only six questions, kept uncomplicated to encourage broader participation. And of those who answered, nearly half — 43 percent — are employees of the district.

The results of an effort to get in-person input from the community were even worse. The only people who showed up last week for a public forum to discuss the search who are not school board members, or employees of the district, were two reporters, a former board member and the wife of a current board member.

Board member Katina Bearden said the low turnout may have been due to the fact that “the community at large feels disengaged with the board because of past experience. They felt they were not heard.”

That seems all the more reason to participate.

The search is moving forward with 16 qualified candidates identified by the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit consultants. Although the survey did not attract good participation, those who replied offered valuable insights.

Respondents identified the district’s diversity and faculty and staff among Pottstown’s strengths along with, ironically, responses like “everyone has a voice” and “the school district considers the community while making decisions.”

Not surprisingly, a lack of financial resources and perception problems about Pottstown ranked among the bigger challenges facing the district and its new superintendent.

Respondents identified “academic achievement by all students” and communication skills and the ability to lead employees as the most important characteristics of a new superintendent. George explained to those present that picking a new superintendent is as much an art as a science.

A candidate may “look good on paper” and still not be the right fit for a community, said Valentina Viletto, the MCIU’s director of community and government relations.

“There’s a difference between someone who wants to be a superintendent, and someone who wants to be a superintendent in Pottstown,” George said.

The next step in the process will be for the team to meet with the school board, narrow the field of candidates to about eight, and begin interviews, said George.

We hope the board continues to seek input fromthe public as the process unfolds, and we hope as well that the public embraces the opportunity. A superintendent is the top officer of the institution that has the greatest effect on taxes and on children and families in this town. That job search deserves everyone’s time and attention.