Hazelwood superintendent to interview for Commissioner of Education position

The superintendent of the Hazelwood School District is among three people who will interview with the State Board of Education for the Commissioner of Education position Wednesday.

[HSD FATHER]

Maybe she will move on?

[Move cautiously]

HSD FATHER wrote:

Maybe she will move on?

Be very careful of what you wish far. The last district CW left, fell apart in less than a year after she left. Riverview School District went upside down almost overnight.

[Mark]

Although I do NOT wish to see Dr. Wright leave the Hazelwood School District, this is a fantastic opportunity for her to use her knowledge, talents, and skills to positively impact All schools and All students in the state of Missouri. The fact that Dr. Wright was solicited by the state to apply for this position and is now one of three nationwide finalists speaks volumes. Although there are some parents and teachers who disagree with Dr. Wright's strategies, the accomplishments and progress made in Hazelwood under her leadership has been closely watched by the Missouri Department of Education. So closely the State Board of Education recognizes, approves and appreciates her talents as well. If she is named the Commissioner of Education for the state of Missouri I am confident she will do an excellent job. Recently she has been honored as superintendent of the year, this did not happen by chance or politics. Her strategy of persistence, leadership, and her love for children to learn is her passion most of us recognize.

This is a bittersweet situation for me as Hazelwood's board president. I am selfish and I desire only the best for our children and community which I know we currently have. As a personal friend, I wish her all the best and fully encourage and support her decision. We in this community have been fortunate to have a school district leader such as Dr. Chris Wright who has provided many positive changes and growth.

The future holds many uncertainties. If Dr. Wright is successful in becoming the new state Commissioner, what shall happen with the Hazelwood School District leadership? With the current leadership team and Board of Education, we shall continue with the philosophy that all children can and shall learn. We will continue to strive for achievement. We will search for a superintendent skillfully with confidence and direction. The Hazelwood school district and our community will stay under the philosophy that,“We Are On The Move”. Good luck Mark

[agreed]

Move cautiously wrote:

<quoted text>
Be very careful of what you wish far. The last district CW left, fell apart in less than a year after she left. Riverview School District went upside down almost overnight.

I doubt anyone would willingly want to try to straighten out the mess she has made.

[So Sad]

Move cautiously wrote:

<quoted text>
Be very careful of what you wish far. The last district CW left, fell apart in less than a year after she left. Riverview School District went upside down almost overnight.

That was due to school board improprieties and lack of oversight. If HSD were to suffer the same fate, guess who would be held accountable Mark? Are you saying the current school board is capable of the same practices? If so, maybe we should ask for an audit now. I'm being sarcastic, but let’s not put the label of savior on CW. Don’t let your personal relationship cloud your judgment. There are plenty of qualified candidates who can fill her shoes.

[Mark]

I touched on in my statement #3 and I did not expect that the majority of those who read and write on topics to agree or to become popular. Everyone IS entitled to an opinion, I do not dispute this.

I had the pleasure and experience learning and growing as a board member for five years under the previous administration Dr. Humphreys. Larry and I developed a very good friendship during that time and he taught me a lot. It may be difficult for people to understand, that when people get on to a board (school district in particular) close friendships do develop. Even though friendships are created there is still a strong understanding of each person's duties and responsibilities. Board members are responsible for setting policies and supervise the superintendent.

In 2001 when Dr. Humphreys announced his retirement, the then 7 member board worked long and hard on two factors. First, listing what we wanted in a new leader, and then interviewed those recommended leaders. We hired a professional search company to guide us through the painstaking months of work. After the months and hours of work and interviews the decision was clear and UNANIMOUS, in favor of Dr. Wright. Regardless of the minorities beliefs, the decision still holds true today.

The comment of “no one willing to try” is an opinion. Although I am with the majority that does not believe the district is in a mess.

So Sad; the Riverview school district which I am very familiar with,(even before being elected to the Hazelwood board) was turned around and improving expeditiously under Dr. Wright's leadership. When she left to come to Hazelwood, the leadership team and that “current” board had the skills necessary to continue with their improvement. Check the record as to the change in the board immediately following. The changed board, under new “majority”, despicably maneuvered into a self serving position. They consciously and questionably hired a like kind superintendent, of which we all know the outcome. As President of the Board and speaking for the six other board members, we ALL care strongly about our individual reputations and ARE held accountable in many ways. Do I feel that the HSD CURRENT school board has the audacity to maneuver itself in such a way like Riverview? No I do not, but every April becomes another challenge for truly knowledgeable voters. Would I choose the word “savior”, no, I would not and I did not. But I still contend that she is the best, which is supported by other professionals, head hunting her for the State Commissioner position. Do you realize that is the top leadership position for education in the state of Missouri? I hope you are correct about qualified candidates for us to review for this leadership position. But I don't believe there is plenty!

[Shirley]

Someone will try thats a given.

The majority doesn't have its eyes open enough to see whats going on.

What I read earlier today on here is a joke for not making kids accountable for homework.

[retiree]

Why is it that no parent, student, or teacher on the selection committee for Dr. Wright selected her, but she was still selected? SOP for Hazelwood...have a committee but don't listen to them because the minds are already made up.

[FlorissantReside nt]

Mark,

I have a comment and 2 questions.

I'd like to say that Dr. Wright has done an outstanding job in passing bond issues and getting critical captial projects accomplished for the district. The district is in good financial shape given the current economy and I applaud both her, the assistant superintendents and the school board for managing the monetary and capital aspects of district finances very well.

With that being said, I have two questions.

1. How do you view a superintendent that does not have the support or good faith from the faculty she has served and also saw the district go into instructional crisis mode under her tenure?

2. Why doesn't anyone ever see Dr. Wright at faculty meetings?

[fred]

FlorissantResident wrote:

Mark,
I have a comment and 2 questions.
I'd like to say that Dr. Wright has done an outstanding job in passing bond issues and getting critical captial projects accomplished for the district. The district is in good financial shape given the current economy and I applaud both her, the assistant superintendents and the school board for managing the monetary and capital aspects of district finances very well.
With that being said, I have two questions.
1. How do you view a superintendent that does not have the support or good faith from the faculty she has served and also saw the district go into instructional crisis mode under her tenure?
2. Why doesn't anyone ever see Dr. Wright at faculty meetings?

Why would she go to faculty meetings? I would assume that would be the job of the building principal?

[FlorissantReside nt]

fred wrote:

<quoted text>
Why would she go to faculty meetings? I would assume that would be the job of the building principal?

A superintendent should be at at least one faculty meeting in each building a year. A point I am trying to make is that Dr. Wright seems to be afraid to answer teacher questions.

[No Fear]

FlorissantResident wrote:

<quoted text>
A superintendent should be at at least one faculty meeting in each building a year. A point I am trying to make is that Dr. Wright seems to be afraid to answer teacher questions.

The Chris Wright I know, has NO FEAR. That is what makes her a great administrator. No Fear, No distractions.

[HSD teacher]

You are correct in saying that CW has no fear, but she does create fear with her management style. She uses the pound system making innocent requests into retaliation. She jumps the Asst. Supts. who jump the building
principals. No question as to is there a problem just why didn't you do something to stop the request and not cause me a problem.

CW has two-faces the public one and the servant one in which she is the master and everyone else serves her.

[floresident]

Mark,

Will one of the qualifications you consider for a Supt. be can I build them a house?

[Mark]

Part one of two,
Florissant Reside nt; #9, Thank you for your statement! It is not easy managing a $250 million budget. It sounds, and is, a lot of money with over 76% of the budget earmarked for salaries alone.

I will do my best in trying to address your questions. Most frequently questions are short, answers are lengthy.

1A.) You assume or believe she does not have the support from the faculty. I beg to differ.
Starting this past Monday the 15th, and Tuesday and yesterday Wednesday- 410 teachers and administrators, representing each school building in the district met together in Central's gym to discuss and review data & assessment. Administrators continued to meet Thursday and Friday. This committee meets from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for five days.
Dr. Wright has been there every day with the exception of Wednesday when she was in Jefferson City. I was there Tuesday afternoon to witness eager and aggressive teachers participating in this committee. This was the THIRD year in a row. Talking to teachers, they were very supportive. Many of the teachers, do “get it”. There are and always will be a handful of disgruntled teachers. Of course the disgruntled teachers are NOT visible participating on this committee.
B.) instructional crisis mode; “personally I do not like the word crisis.” When she took the position in 02 the district academically was seriously failing, it just wasn't public knowledge at that time. The situation at that time was not taken seriously by the previous administration nor the board, I may add. The board was sheltered from the severity of the situation. Dr. Wright's first year and myself as president spent days together researching the status of everything within the district. After a year of investigation mainly on Dr. Wright's part, the board was made aware of the actual status of the district. The board spent three days in a retreat with Dr. Wright developing a 7 to 10 year Crisis STRATEGIC plan. In 03 that plan was put into action and we have not veered from that plan much. In short, the plan called for- community awareness, community involvement, raising capital, improving buildings, new buildings, growth and extension of programs, rebuilding administration and leadership team, dated collection, educating and retraining staff, realignment of curriculum and many additional parts. All focused and emphasized on improving test scores. IMPROVING TEST SCORES is the requirement or STATE MANDATE. Every thing with in the community boundaries of HSD depends and revolves around achievement of the State MANDATE. The historical HSD philosophy of education/teaching “we know what's best for our children” no longer is worthy. Many many many people “do not like” or “would agree with that statement”, this I understand and can appreciate. But walking in, not only my shoes, but six other board members as well, exposed to the facts and a the explanation of long term effects, the ramifications of district failure under the states watchful eye, was not an option we were willing to accept.

Dr. Wright and the seven of us board members willingly accepted hanging a bull's-eye on our backs. The plan was designed and we have stuck to it. More POSITIVE changes have taken place in the past six years of implementing this plan than most realize. The crisis instructional mode was a calculated strategically placed process that is working. Academic progress is strategically improving although not as fast as building a new building-that's easy.

[Mark]

Part 2 of 2
2) Why is she not seen at faculty meetings? Same reason she is not seen play golf once a week, not enough time.(Not meant to be sarcastic). The superintendent’s position is that of the CEO of a Corporation that is situated under a urgency model. 60% of her day consists of routine meetings with the leadership team (assistant superintendents). These A/S are responsible for meeting with the designated building administrators (principles). These principles are solely responsible for the day-to-day operation and budget of their individual building and communications with assistant principals. Assistant principals have a whole litany of responsibilities. Under a good structured management model all authorities are EXPECTED to fulfill their obligation/responsibilities of which they are compensated for. Despite popular belief- all levels of administration attempt to refrain from micromanaging. Of course some situations are unavoidable. Dr. Wright THRIVES on a fully booked schedule of critical meetings. The in-house saying at the administration building is “there is 24 hours in a day, and you are allowed to work each and every one of them”. This is not a sarcastic saying, but rather a EXPLANATION to the example Dr. Wright sets for herself. She literally put in more hours than anyone. Don't be fooled, she is in the buildings. Most of the time it is under a scheduled walk-through. She meets with staff, curriculum coordinators, finance and PR department, key communicators day and night meetings, PTAs, principal meetings, and the list goes on.
There is a tremendous amount of meetings, planing and communications, she participates in. She also corresponds by e-mail and letters to every direct request of her.
She is instructed by the board to participate in --community organizations, all local municipality governmental discussions, state and federal discussions, cooperating school districts (CSD) programs, AASA organization, and many others. It is a demand of the board to keep Hazelwood school districts name as frequent as possible in the public light.

I have said a lot of things here today, I fully expect by doing so I will be criticized and chastised for the most part. Whether it is me or anyone for that fact, NO ONE has the ability to perfectly please 100% of the people. If I spelled something wrong or misused the English language, I apologize-get over it.

A handful of very honest committed volunteers through collaboration and respect fully support Dr. Wright and the administration leadership team. That does not mean we are rubber stamps or that we do not think for ourselves, we do have our debates. All of us have something at RISK, and I am not referring to a April election. The district has a model plan for success, one we EXPECT to achieve for the benefit of the students and the community at large. Mark

[Mark]

Retiree,#8; please name 2 people , other than yourself, who sat on the selection committee please? I believe you are grossly mistaken. Before 2002 there were very few committees. The previous administration/board did not frequently used committees. When we did form committees, we most certainly respected them and their work. Especially the stakeholders committee. So please verify your comment.

floresident,#14; thank you for the intelligent recommendation and for brightening my day.
Mark

[Another HSD retiree]

floresident,#14; thank you for the intelligent recommendation and for brightening my day.
Mark

You did not answer the question Mr. Behlmann, everyone knows you built Wright's house shortly after she got the Superintendent's job. You have you nose stuck so far up her backside that you cannot see nor will you listen to anything other than the rosy picture she portrays to you. Sincerely hope that if you are still on the board when another Supt. is chosen that you will have the common sense to not be a personal friend who blindly sees and believes what the person wants you to believe.
Ever heart of objectivity?????

[Mark]

Another HSD retiree wrote:

floresident,#14; thank you for the intelligent recommendation and for brightening my day.
Mark
You did not answer the question Mr. Behlmann, everyone knows you built Wright's house shortly after she got the Superintendent's job. You have you nose stuck so far up her backside that you cannot see nor will you listen to anything other than the rosy picture she portrays to you.
Sincerely hope that if you are still on the board when another Supt. is chosen that you will have the common sense to not be a personal friend who blindly sees and believes what the person wants you to believe.
Ever heart of objectivity?????

You're either new to topics or have not been following along. The answer to that question has been clearly explained twice previously. But I will provide the condensed
version for your behalf.
In 1993 I was elected to the Chamber of Commerce board for the first time. In 1994 because of my position on the chamber it provided me the opportunity to meet Dr. Wright.
During that time I sat on the membership drive committee for the chamber. I solicited and signed Riverview school district up to be chamber members. It was through 94 and 95 I developed a relationship with Riverview school district and Mr. and Mrs. Wright. In 1996 I had finished my term on the chamber but with everyone I came in contact with, as a salesman, I always try to sell our custom homes, Dr. Wright was no exception. That is what you do while being involved in the chamber. I was elected to Hazelwood in 1997 she was hired in 2002. Dr. Wright's house had nothing to do with her being hired or me being on the board. She was hired because she was the best candidate. The vote to hire her was unanimous. I was one of seven board members. Mark

[So Sad]

Mark wrote:

<quoted text>
You're either new to topics or have not been following along. The answer to that question has been clearly explained twice previously. But I will provide the condensed
version for your behalf.
In 1993 I was elected to the Chamber of Commerce board for the first time. In 1994 because of my position on the chamber it provided me the opportunity to meet Dr. Wright.
During that time I sat on the membership drive committee for the chamber. I solicited and signed Riverview school district up to be chamber members. It was through 94 and 95 I developed a relationship with Riverview school district and Mr. and Mrs. Wright. In 1996 I had finished my term on the chamber but with everyone I came in contact with, as a salesman, I always try to sell our custom homes, Dr. Wright was no exception. That is what you do while being involved in the chamber. I was elected to Hazelwood in 1997 she was hired in 2002. Dr. Wright's house had nothing to do with her being hired or me being on the board. She was hired because she was the best candidate. The vote to hire her was unanimous. I was one of seven board members. Mark

I don't mind if you build the next superintendent a house. Many would be impressed by your work. Heck, I would even say make it part of the package if the candidate is highly sought after. Just include a stipulation where you won't build him/her a house unless it is within the HSD district boundaries.