As we approach the superintendent interview process it is important to remember that it is not about who is applying for the position but who is hiring for the position.
Board President Malik Evans has said, “Anyone can apply” and in that he is absolutely correct. However, when the Board has already made up their mind as to whom they will hire that statement is as moot as the call for community input into the process.
Currently, the common belief is that the Board will hire Interim Superintendent Vargas as the permanent superintendent. Though President Evans stated publicly, throughout his campaign for re-election, that Dr. Vargas will not be eligible for the position because of contractual agreements, it seems that his contract has become automagically void and he is now eligible.
As interim superintendent, Dr. Vargas has put forth one proposed solution to the problem of failing students who are overage and under credited. That one proposal, All City High, was met with community angst and did not meet the approval of the Excellence in Student Achievement committee. The proposal was tabled in one business meeting, and removed from the agenda at another pending serious revision. It was only after considerable input from the community and revision by ESA commissioners White and Adams that the Board passed the amended proposal.
There is one thing we do know and understand about Dr. Vargas, he is supported by David Gantt. And, seeing as how several of the Board members are Gantt supporters, it is understood how he came to be interim superintendent and possibly our new permanent superintendent.
It is unfortunate that politics plays such an important role in education in our community. Because of the reigning political structure, our children have been at the failing end of an educational system that considers them nothing more than the end product of business concerns. We have yet to see the Board hire a superintendent that has offered this district anything more than post failure solutions with no idea how to prevent the educational failure of our children.
Join the Movement to Save Our Children!
