The Fairfax County NAACP has raised concerns with the school board with two finalists for superintendent.
The NAACP revealed that the finalists are Omaha Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Logan, who stepped down a week ago, and Dr. Michelle Reid, who leads a school system of 20,000 students in the State of Washington.
“We want to make sure the superintendent won’t use the first year or two as a learning curve, but will be able to jumpstart,” Fairfax County NAACP President Karen Campblin said. . “We are at a very crucial moment right now.”
Campblin says the next superintendent must have a track record of closing the achievement gap, improving graduation rates and meeting the needs of English learners. She says her organization, which was not represented on the selection committee, spoke up after being contacted by whistleblowers from the search committee.
At least one group of students are also expressing concerns. Members of the Pride Liberation Project sent a letter complaining that students did not have enough say in the selection of the new superintendent.
Aaryan Rawal says the 11 students who weighed in behind closed doors cannot represent the voices of Fairfax County’s 180,000 very diverse students.
“Just give students the opportunity to share their thoughts and share their opinions before the county locks itself into a decision that will shape our schools for years to come,” he said.
The school board acknowledged the controversy but maintained the selection process that began in January. Several public meetings and surveys were offered to students, parents and the community.
“We have benefited from a strong pool of candidates who have demonstrated qualities and backgrounds aligned with those identified during the community engagement portion of the process and outlined in the job posting,” the board said in a statement.
The board says it intends to announce a final nominee in the coming weeks.
The hiring of the next superintendent will be by public vote of the school board.
Superintendent Scott Brabrand will step down after the end of the school year.
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