Congratulations to Barbara Thompson, who last week was selected to be the next superintendent of the Montgomery County (Ala.) school system. It's a tremendous opportunity for Thompson, who has been superintendent of New Glarus schools since 2003. It's certainly a significant jump in district profiles - Montgomery's schools have nearly 4,000 employees and 32,000 students, while New Glarus has only about 850 students.
Thompson's move, however, also is a tremendous opportunity for the New Glarus school district. Particularly in terms of openness and transparency, New Glarus schools have suffered in recent years. And while much of that responsibility rests with the school board, the superintendent also shares the blame.
Sometimes, Thompson and the school board have appeared to be working off different scripts, something alluded to in a Montgomery Advertiser newspaper report about a site visit to New Glarus. Whatever the reason, information has not flowed as freely and as consistently to New Glarus school district residents the past couple of years as it should have.
Some school board members have acknowledged as much in the past year or so, and have vowed to make improvements. With the makeup of the board having changed somewhat in the past couple of years, there is an opportunity for a fresh start.
But as much as the board is responsible for informing the public in a correct and timely manner about the work it is doing, its members only are part-time. They must rely on the district's leader, the superintendent, for direction and guidance in a number of areas. At times, it seemed as if that guidance was lacking.
It's an opportune time for the current New Glarus school board to find a new leader that it can work with efficiently, constructively and openly. It's an opportune time for the public to let its elected representatives - the seven school board members - know what they want and expect from the next superintendent.
Unfortunately, the timing of Thompson's departure isn't opportune. With less than two months left before the Sept. 1 first day of school, now isn't the best time to be looking for longer-term school leaders.
But that's the nature of the business, as board President Mark Romich told the Times last week. Now the board has a responsibility to its constituents to take the time it needs to find the best person for the job, and to take full advantage of the opportunity for a fresh start.
Thompson's move, however, also is a tremendous opportunity for the New Glarus school district. Particularly in terms of openness and transparency, New Glarus schools have suffered in recent years. And while much of that responsibility rests with the school board, the superintendent also shares the blame.
Sometimes, Thompson and the school board have appeared to be working off different scripts, something alluded to in a Montgomery Advertiser newspaper report about a site visit to New Glarus. Whatever the reason, information has not flowed as freely and as consistently to New Glarus school district residents the past couple of years as it should have.
Some school board members have acknowledged as much in the past year or so, and have vowed to make improvements. With the makeup of the board having changed somewhat in the past couple of years, there is an opportunity for a fresh start.
But as much as the board is responsible for informing the public in a correct and timely manner about the work it is doing, its members only are part-time. They must rely on the district's leader, the superintendent, for direction and guidance in a number of areas. At times, it seemed as if that guidance was lacking.
It's an opportune time for the current New Glarus school board to find a new leader that it can work with efficiently, constructively and openly. It's an opportune time for the public to let its elected representatives - the seven school board members - know what they want and expect from the next superintendent.
Unfortunately, the timing of Thompson's departure isn't opportune. With less than two months left before the Sept. 1 first day of school, now isn't the best time to be looking for longer-term school leaders.
But that's the nature of the business, as board President Mark Romich told the Times last week. Now the board has a responsibility to its constituents to take the time it needs to find the best person for the job, and to take full advantage of the opportunity for a fresh start.
