Citizens silent on search

By Gracie Hart
Review Staff Writer

Published: October 2, 2008

The first public hearing for citizen input on hiring a new school superintendent was held Tuesday night.  Only eight people, besides the school board, were present.  Out of those eight, five were members of the board-appointed superintendent search advisory committee and the remaining three were school employees.
The hearing was intended to be an opportunity for citizens of the county to voice their comments and suggestions on what they desire in a new superintendent.
The school board is soliciting input on the hiring of a new superintendent.  Current superintendent Dr. William Crawford’s contract expires at the end of the 2008-2009 school year and school officials decided not to renew it.
“We care what the community wants,” said school board chairman Jerry Bledsoe.  “This affects the community and all of our students.”
No one spoke.
Bledsoe thanked the advisory committee for their continued hard work. 
Two weeks ago, committee members issued a citizen survey to solicit input on the characteristics they might want in the next superintendent. The survey was available at the local libraries and at all Orange County Public School sites, was sent home with each student and was posted to the Orange County Schools’ website. 
Surveys are due the morning of Oct. 2.  The committee will tally the results and present them to the board at the Oct. 7 meeting.  The criteria from the surveys will then be used in the advertisement announcing the open superintendent position. 
When asked if they had received any calls regarding the survey, committee member Donald Brooks replied that he had gotten a few calls and collected a few surveys while some committee members had heard nothing. 
To remind parents that the surveys are due back Oct. 2, an instant alert phone message was sent out county-wide Wednesday night.
Another public hearing is scheduled for tonight, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.  The meeting will be held at Locust Grove Elementary.