Ann Arbor school board faces tough task of finding a new superintendent to replace Roberts
When the Ann Arbor school board hired Todd Roberts in 2006, he walked into a district battling multiple crises.
Employee morale was low. Board members were trying to figure out how a construction project had gotten a year behind schedule and millions of dollars over budget. Budget cuts were looming. Key administrative posts were open. A redistricting process had caused hurt feelings among some parents.
Todd Roberts is shown at a June 2006 school board meeting after being hired as superintendent. In the background is George Fornero, who was attending his last meeting as superintendent.
File photo | AnnArbor.com
Four years later, as Roberts prepares to leave the district to take a job in North Carolina, the outlook isn’t so bleak.
Roberts announced his resignation from his $188,000 per year job on Friday, saying he would stay through fall while a replacement is sought. He starts as chancellor of the North Carolina School of Science and Math in Durham on Dec. 1.
"This decision is about our family," he said in a telephone interview Friday afternoon. "My parents and wife's parents live in North Carolina. They have had health issues in the past year. This is a good time to get to help out. We started having discussions about moving back, but this happened a little quicker than we anticipated, but when you do what I do, there's not that many opportunities."
Roberts’ departure comes as a surprise, but many of those inside the district feel the district has been stabilized under his leadership and is driving forward with a clear strategic plan.
That’s why Roberts thinks whomever takes over for him sometime this fall, despite facing tough financial times, will be walking into a good opportunity.
Who that person ends up being is dependent on a series of choices the seven school board members will make over the coming months.
The first decision is one of the hardest.
Board members have to decide if they want to hire an interim superintendent to run the district for several months and conduct a search for a full-time superintendent later in the year or if they want to go after a permanent superintendent right away and hope to get that person in place before Roberts leaves around Thanksgiving time.
It’s debate the board has had before. When Fornero announced he was leaving, and then a short time later announced Skyline High School was over budget and behind schedule, board members discussed letting him go early and hiring an interim during the search process. Even as the search process began, there were discussions about hiring an interim.
That’s when then board member Randy Friedman began introducing Roberts, who was then an assistant superintendent in Birmingham, to board members. Roberts marched through the interview process and won enough board support to become the permanent superintendent.
It’s not a given the board - which has four members who went through that search - will come out the same way this time.
“Right now, I could argue both ways,” said new board member Christine Stead.
Board President Deb Mexicotte said she favors appointing an interim.
“Speaking just as Deb Mexicotte (and not the spokeswoman for the board), my guess is that it’s better to wait until the first of the year to start a search for a permanent superintendent.
“This is the time of year when nobody is able to move comfortably.”
Mexicotte said she’s also leery of stealing a superintendent away from another school district just as the school year begins.
“One of the concerns is Dr. Roberts. He was been very considerate in saying he will stay to help with the transition. If we can be considerate to him, and let him get settled (in North Carolina) a little early, that would be considerate.
“Dr. Roberts has put us in an excellent position to move forward seamlessly. This (administrative) team has been together so well. He left us in the best possible shape.
“When I think about where we were when we handed him the keys four years ago… we are a better district in every aspect.”
Board member Glenn Nelson, who is the longest serving member of the current board, has had to be involved in replacing superintendents a few times, including in the early 2000s, when Rossi Ray Taylor was pushed out by board members and Fornero became the interim superintendent before getting the position on a full-time basis.
He said he wants to listen to what experts from various firms that conduct superintendent searches tell him about which option is best.
“I am willing to take some time to get that great candidate,” he said. “I want the option that will get us the best person.”
Richard Dunham, the director of superintendent search for the Michigan Association of School Boards is likely to be one of the experts connected.
“Typically, my answer is that you only need one quality candidate,” he said. “I’m sure a school district like Ann Arbor will attract a number of candidates from a national search.”
As far as candidates from in state, that might be a little dicier.
“The candidate pool, as far as experienced superintendents moving from one job to another job, is not as strong as it was in the past,” he said, adding that’s not to say there aren’t good candidates among assistant superintendents or building administrators looking to step up.
“Many times, school boards like Ann Arbor, like to hire experienced candidates.”
There are also open superintendent positions in districts such as Walled Lake, Clarkston, Waterford and Novi, he said.
Parent Kimmie Washington, who has two elementary daughters in the district, said she hopes the board takes their time.
“I hate to rush to find someone who might not be the best person. Why not bring in someone like a retired superintendent to keep things running smoothly and then take all the time you need to figure out exactly what is needed in the next one? That’s what makes sense to me.”
Those decisions will start to be made on Wednesday night. Mexicotte said the board will use an already scheduled meeting to discuss the course of action.
David Jesse covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2534.
Comments
local
Mon, Aug 16, 2010 : 7:57 p.m.
txpayer, would Edmondson have the guts to fire Madison over at Dicken? It is easy to have guts when people above you make the ultimate decision, now will he have the guts to be that man!!!
txpyer
Mon, Aug 16, 2010 : 12:51 p.m.
Someone asked if there is a qualified internal candidate.....definitely!!! Dr. Ben Edmondson has been with the district as a Principal at all 3 levels (King, Scarlett and now Clemente). He is very well respected and looked to as an authority in achievement by educators and districts nationwide. He has teaching experience, leadership experience (proven and effective), and the guts to do what is right for students....not always the popular choice. Google his name and you will find many articles touting his achievements in this district. He has been a finalist for Superintendent jobs in surrounding areas.....he's qualified, he's here and hopefully he will be interested. He has had the guts to do things in this district that no other administrator ever has...hold students accountable for their education. No one can say he isn't 100% for students and his energy and drive would be a great addition to the State St. administration offices and to the BOE. Do the right thing people!!!!
BobbyJohn
Mon, Aug 16, 2010 : 5:58 a.m.
Ms. Mexicotte, When someone has a position like Mr. Roberts, with its complexity, and they are not being fired, but are leaving of their own volition, I consider it only ethical for them to give at least 6 months notice of their departure. This way their departure will not severely injure the system that they have cared for over the last few years. It takes that long to do a reasonable search and hire process and then transition smoothly to the new superintendent. Ms. Mexicotte, at this time your concern should be overwhelmingly for the children in our school district, not focusing on the convenience of Dr. Roberts. That is your job as our representative on the school board.
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Mon, Aug 16, 2010 : 2:35 a.m.
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proudparent
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 5:21 p.m.
Why arent they letting Robert Allen take over things untill they find a new Superintendent? I think he would be great for the job.
walker101
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 4:50 p.m.
I would like to endorse Doris Hope-Jackson, she a change that is needed for A2 and is currently seeking a job while she's on a paid administration leave from Willow Run and is desperately seeking employment at another District. Why bother recruiting nationally and spend all that money looking for someone who'll abandon for greener pastures after a few years. Commitment is not part of the virtue for incoming Superintendents, it all has to do with how big egos are nurtured within their compounds and when feelings are hurt they want to hurt back by abandoning ship, anyway good luck!
local
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 11:05 a.m.
Steve, I agree with you about the movie issue at Burns Park. And yes, the buildings outside looks terrible!! Hiring within would be great if someone was qualified and interested. However, not sure there is anyone qualified to do it. If someone has a few names please list accordingly. Who ever they decide upon, I hope the compensation is reasonable, one that doesn't exceed the magic number of 100,000. Wouldn't want to overpay someone in the educational system who might have high qualifications.
josber
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 9:38 a.m.
I wish Dr. Roberts well. Certainly he has obtained a wonderful position back home, near family. He did a good job in a difficult situation. If the board chooses an interim Superintendent, there are pitfalls.Big issues can be punted down the way, there can be a lack of ownership of problems and their solutions and there's uncertainty about what the future holds for staff and families. The plus side is that you can evaluate what that person is like. It's like a probationary period, and if they are not managing the situation well, they can be let go without too much trouble. Look at Willow Run, I bet the board wished they had some kind of get out of contract card with that superintendent.
AlphaAlpha
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 9:37 a.m.
Hmmm...a growing sentiment for clawbacks. Interesting.
beachbaby
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 9:33 a.m.
With all the recent controversies in the district, I hope the BOE is prudent in finding a replacement. We do not need any lightning rods for controversy or someone with excessive baggage.
Jennifer Shikes Haines
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 9:12 a.m.
A strong candidate and thorough search is critical. We've seen how the district has fared under Superintendents who were not nearly as strong as Roberts, and given the political and economic climate, a mediator and consolidator such as Roberts would help the District transition smoothly. If the Interim does a good job, then he/she can be part of the applicant pool when the application period opens.
kilroy
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 8:53 a.m.
Dollars to doughnuts he leaves before December 1st to start his new job at $220,000 per, and that the Ann Arbor School Board overpays to find a successor, overpays the successor, and pays Roberts a severance package. That just seems to be the way things work nowadays.
Steve
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 8:41 a.m.
Mr. Roberts, I was going to call and ask you what were you thinking when you rented out the Burns Park School parking lot for a MONTH for a MOVIE? You should at least come by and see what mess you made of peoples lives. generators running all night, bright lights for safety, etc. The real shame was the first weekend it was up - car after car of crying children who were not able to play at the school park, swings, etc. I hope AAPS made some well needed money on that - please let us know how much and what it was used for. The outside of Burns Park school is about 20 years overdue for a paint job and Tappan Middle school ground look like an abandoned building - UNACCEPTABLE... Any signing bonus you were paid should be returned to the taxpayers of Ann Arbor at once! Good riddance.
GriswoldKJ
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 8:33 a.m.
A related story with more background information is at http://annarborchronicle.com/2010/08/14/with-roberts-exit-aaps-plans-next-steps/
DonBee
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 8:05 a.m.
A national search? How much will that cost us? We are the training ground for lots of other districts. We should have great internal candidates. Promote from within, move people up to backfill and then don't hire more administrators. That will get the administration costs under control. The district is top heavy. This coming winter there will be another discussion of layoffs for teachers unless something happens to turn the state around. Reducing the administration costs prior to that time period should be the focus of the board this fall. I wish the best to Dr. Roberts. I am sorry he did not keep his promise to hand his youngest his diploma here in Ann Arbor.
DagnyJ
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 8:03 a.m.
Dear Board, find the right person for our district. Deb Mexicotte, why are you so worried about other districts and taking a superintendent? Your job is to serve AAPS and get us the best replacement for Roberts. Worry about us first.
xmo
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 7:50 a.m.
Isn't this the 3rd search for a super in 10 years? From what I remember, some of the picks were not that good. Let's hope they use a better set of guide lines for the next one.
Mark Quigley
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 7:22 a.m.
Dear AAPS BOE: Given Todd Roberts departure, please be very prudent with the taxpayer's money. Please do not throw an expensive party; no service gifts are necessary. Please do not extend additional benefits or service years to add to any pension dollars earned. Remember, he has quit. If you do have a party, please pay with your own out of pocket income. Please consider non-educational candidates in the Superintendent search. An experienced business person with real union labor negotiating experience, accounting, managerial and leadership accomplishments should be considered. Our challenges as a District are fundamentally economic. Let us find a leader who can increase the graduation rate, re-purpose buildings, get more work and labor out of labor, negotiate better terms with vendors, cut curriculum waste, and eliminate Pay for Participation.