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Sanders is finalist for new job
By JAMIE MALERNEE
© St. Petersburg Times, John Sanders is one step closer to the door. The Lee County School Board chose the Hernando County school superintendent Saturday as one of two finalists in its search for a new superintendent. Board members said they were impressed by his experience and professional, yet easy-going demeanor. "He really came down and impressed them with his solid education and background," said Wayne Blanton, the coordinator of the search process and executive director of the Florida School Board's Association. "They need a calm leader right now, and that's how he came across: as a calm and cool person." Also chosen was John Noennig, superintendent of schools in Rochester, Minn. Sanders could not be reached for comment Saturday, but the news most likely came as a pleasant surprise to the man who has headed the county's public school system for nearly six years and who caused a stir when officials learned he was looking elsewhere. Sanders has previously said he did not know how good his chances were. The decision also brought some concern among School Board members here, who say they would be reluctant to see Sanders go. They said he has been a good leader and lends stability to the system, especially as the district faces budgetary woes. "I wish him the best of luck, but I hope he doesn't get it," said Hernando board member John Druzbick. "I would be worried to the point that I would only hope we could find someone as good to replace him." Lee County will make its final decision by mid-July, at the latest. In the next two weeks, board members will visit Hernando to talk to people Sanders works with, as well as the public, to get a better feel for him. To make it to the final two, Sanders beat out more than 50 other initial candidates for the job, including semi-finalist John Stewart, deputy superintendent for Pinellas schools. Stewart has served as deputy commissioner of education under former education commissioner Tom Gallagher and was elected three times as the Polk County superintendent. Now Sanders goes up against Noennig, who has been superintendent of four different school districts, has dealt with issues of growth and diversity and is a "healer-type" leader, Blanton said. "The big question now is: Do we pick someone from Minnesota who has more experience, or do we pick someone from Florida, who has virtually no learning curve?" Blanton said. "If Sanders has an edge, it is that he is from Florida." If Sanders is ultimately chosen, he will lead a school district four times the size of Hernando's and make as much as $50,000 more a year than he does now. He makes $97,000 a year. "I guess that shows how good of a job he's done here, if a district that size has that much confidence in him," Druzbick said. "Have we had some bumps in the road? Sure we have. But I think every one of them has been dealt with and taken care off." Local officials said they would start a search immediately if Sanders were to accept the Lee County job, so they would have plenty of time to find a replacement. Druzbick added that the board would not try to keep Sanders by offering him higher pay. "The district cannot afford to pay that kind of salary," Druzbick said. "(Sanders) has told us, and I believe him, that he is not using this job offer" as leverage.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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