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Schools

Candidates say they could improve schools

By MELANIE AVE
Published May 18, 2005

TAMPA - Three of the finalists for Hillsborough County school superintendent said Tuesday that they could improve the fast-growing school district.

"There are things that need to change," said Michael Grego, Hillsborough's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction and one of five candidates vying to replace retiring superintendent Earl Lennard.

"This is not a school district that needs total reform," he said, "but we do need improvements."

It was the second day of interviews for the three candidates, who are trying to impress a School Board that could vote as early as Thursday.

Board members asked Sonia Diaz, the deputy superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Miami-Dade schools, about her tenure in Miami, where she has been since December.

She said she was hired by the superintendent as part of his transition team. She said her initial plan was to stay a year in Miami, but she will leave earlier if hired in Hillsborough.

Diaz, a former superintendent in Bridgeport, Conn., was asked how Hillsborough could make its schools more racially diverse. She said she would try to make schools so alluring that parents would send their children to campuses outside their neighborhoods.

"I don't believe in quotas," said Diaz, 57. "I do believe in representation."

The day's interviews ended with Detroit public schools chief executive Kenneth Burnley, 63, who is stepping down from his job next month. He also was a superintendent in Colorado and Alaska.

Board member Jennifer Faliero asked Burnley why he wanted to come to Hillsborough, given his record as an agent of change in other school districts. She said Hillsborough is not a district that needs massive reform.

Burnley, who said his career has run the gamut, said he wants the job because Hillsborough is a good school district filled with people who want to see it improve.

"I know a lot of people who are interested in Hillsborough County," he said.

Carol Kurdell asked Burnley to tell the board one nugget about himself that would help everyone understand him better.

"I am a leader with a good sense of interpersonal skills," said Burnley, the 1993 national superintendent of the year. "I really love and care about children."

On Wednesday, the board will interview the final two candidates, Hillsborough chief of facilities Mary Ellen Elia and former New Orleans superintendent Anthony Amato.

Melanie Ave can be reached at 727 892-2273 or melanie@sptimes.com

[Last modified May 18, 2005, 00:49:11]