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Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2008 > February > 12 > Entry
Braithwaite in the final three in Akron
Debra Brathwaite
The Akron Beacon Journal is reporting that Dayton Deputy Superintendent Debra Brathwaite is one of three finalists for superintendent in Akron.
I just spoke to Brathwaite, who confirms she has been called back for a second interview along with two others — Joseph Redden, a former superintendent from suburban Atlanta, and David James, Akron schools’ director of business affairs.
Brathwaite was was a candidate for superintendent in Toledo and in Lorain last year but pulled out of both searches.
She said her doctorate in education is nearly complete (she hopes to be done by June) and it has long been her goal to be a superintendent.
“Its a natural progression in my career,” she said. “It is a great opportunity in Akron. I am ready to be a superintendent.”
Braithwaite said her five years in Dayton have been good but that she is looking around because Superintendent Percy Mack, she believes, is not going anywhere anytime soon. Mack was finalist for superintendent in Mobile, Ala., in September but has insisted since then that he is not job hunting.
Brathwaite’s chances look as good as anyone else under consideration. James is well liked in the district but has no background in academics. Redden, a former Air Force general, was superintendent in Cobb County, Ga., from 2000 to 2005 but was forced out after the school board revolted over his plan to use sales tax money to buy every teacher and student in grades 6 to 12 an Apple laptop.
Brathwaite came from Cleveland to become Mack’s top lieutenant and has led the district’s day-to-day operations for instructional programs. She went to Cleveland in 1997 to work with then-Superintendent Barbara Byrd Bennett, a former colleague in the New York City public school system.
Akron is significantly larger than Dayton, with 25,985 students to Dayton’s 16,206.
Permalink | Comments (15) | Categories: Dayton Public Schools
Comments
By Barb
February 16, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Some of the schools had a waiver day on Friday. I heard as in the other 2 many felt it was a waste of time and could have been much better spent. Seems as if they keep using the same presentations.By A DPS/OAT TEACHER
February 16, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
BARB,There was a question what is a DPS waiver day asked earlier. I am a COA schools’ teacher. Barb I will let you explain the Friday COA schools’ waiver day. I am sitting here on line…waiting for DPS tech to turn our EZgrade gradebooks/Interims back on ….Tuesday Feb.19, 2008 at 6 A.M. WHY turn the system off this weekend and interims are due soon….(real soon..remember deadlines )…. especially when classroom teachers have no time during the teacher’s day to do the tech reports….7.25 hours remember the cutbacks and layoffs 2007-2008….By Laura
February 15, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
Barb, what waiver day?By Barb
February 15, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Our school is one of the lucky ones. Our coaches actually put in a full days work. Surprisingly I have heard at several schools they rarely see their coach who somehow claims to be in classrooms but the teachers involved never see these coaches. Of course the few who do work all the time are pulled away quite often for even more training which they come back shaking their heads and say they wish the administration would listen instead of making useless decisions. Scott might want to check around and see how valuable the wavier days was today. I heard for many the same trainers presented the same material to the same teachersBy Avoice
February 14, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Barb, you do not really want to know what is going on downtown, (Scott doesn�t either.) The multiple levels of secretaries, assistants to assistants, curriculum advisors and coaches, department heads, CAO�s and deputies and assistants to deputies are all very necessary to justify all of that space. Our tax dollars must be spent! Rather odd that the people downtown are supposed to be support people. How much support have you gotten this year Barb?By Barb
February 14, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
Ms. Thompson you misunderstood who I felt should be accountable for their time. I understand the board position is a limited time position and most of the people on the board hold down full time jobs. I am discussing accountability of the people that are full time employees of DPS in an administrative or coaching level. What are they doing with their time. And yes we did trade email but that was during December. Although yours as all board members is a limited position I do find it incredible that decisions are constantly made on just the recommedations of others without first had knowledge. Perhaps you could update us on the Evergreen survey and how the outside consulting firm recommendations are going.By Stacy Thompson
February 13, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
Barb, First accept my apology that I have not made it to Loos to visit your classroom yet. We have traded personal emails about my visit and I apologized for the delay (I only wish you had chosen to mention this fact). I said I would come visit and I truly had planned to get there well before now, so you are right when you state you are still waiting for me. You will see me this year….I promise. I do feel need to address your question “where are these people all day?” Here is my calendar for the week: Monday 2/11: KeyBank (I handle Dayton, Cincy, Columbus and Springfield) all day which is typically 7:30AM or so until often times 6-7PM. On Monday 2/11 I also had a DPS Superintendent Evaluaiton Committee Meeting at 6PM that ran until about 8:15PM. Tuesday 2/12 KeyBank all day in Dayton and Columbus. Wednesday 2/13 KeyBank all day, left work to attend a 4PM mtg at DPS, then left work again to attend a play at Stivers at 7PM. Thursday 2/14 DPS Policy Committee Meeting at 7:30AM, then KeyBank all day, then 4:15PM meeting with fellow new board member, Taylor. Friday 2/15 KeyBank all day. I won’t mention I care for an 85 year old parent during my free time. Barb, I am committed to this district and take my role on the board seriously often spending 3-4 days/afternoons/nights a week in some type of DPS meeting and/or event; however, it is never enough….I’ve come to be realistic about that fact. While I apologize to you personally for not having made it to your classroom just yet, I do beg some level of acknowledgement for me and my colleagues who are truly doing our best to represent the citizens of Dayton on this board. I know we are often the easiest targets and most often I accept the jabs and keep going, but sometimes I feel reality needs to be injected into the picture. Where am I? Working to earn a living like you, serving in an elected office, volunteering in my community, caring for an elderly parent and trying to stay well despite the considerable lack of sleep I get! (smiles) I present none of these as an excuse for not having made it to your classroom, rather an honest answer to your question as to my whereabouts. Blessings, Stacy M. ThompsonBy Barb
February 13, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
I used to have more faith in Mario until I began reading her blogs. It almost seems as if so many people only read the press of the higher administration and does not face the reality of what is happening in the schools. We are still waiting on the results for the independent consulting firm that was hired to see how DPS is viewed. I don’t think you will find Braithwaite to be all that respected by the people who she is suppose to be mentoring. I know she enjoys her TV time but as the person in charge of the CAO schools no schools seem to see her much. When she is seen it is just to use her checklist. She has delegated that job. I think a good idea would be for the board to actually check on what goes on and not just read through the paper work. By the way I am still waiting on Stacy Thompson who say during the election she wanted to come out and spend time in my classroom. Where are all these people all day because they are not helping in the schools. I think there are a lot of people that are very hopeful this job comes through for her but not for the reasons Mario has suggested.By Avoice
February 12, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
You are correct Mario! The Dayton Public Schools have been getting better all of the time. The enrollment has dropped from 37,000 plus students to less than 17,000. Monthly expulsion meetings are held with multiple levels of documentation and the student returns to the same situation. Building Principals attend endless meetings (when they should be at their own buildings) drinking the propaganda cool-aid at the �Palaces� downtown. There are far fewer new, highly qualified, seasoned and special teachers this year than last. Classroom size has increased again this year (and do not count the special teachers in the student to teacher ratio.) There are few (if any) planning times for real teacher planning. The District Treasurer, Deputy Superintendent, Superintendent, Transportation director, Director of Data, Special Education director etc� are looking or have quit this past year. Once again a board (or former board member) shows that they are truly in touch with what goes on in the classrooms of the Dayton Public Schools. Thank you for your service to the Dayton community. PS, I am sure that all DPS teachers fully support the current administration and wish them well in their respective job searches. After all, they certainly wished all of the teachers lost last year the best with a form letter. See you Debra, hope that your data did not have to be changed too much to fit your doctoral research done during district time. You truly were an inspiration to all the parents and teachers that were blessed by your presence. LOL We can�t wait to see the next one Percy and crew bring, if he is still hereBy a Dayton teacher
February 12, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
When you are at the point of applying for other jobs, you have pretty much lost the interest you had in your current job. Let Dr. Mack and Dr. Braithwaite find their other jobs and let some fresh people with a clean slate come to DPS. For DPS to move forward, it needs to get past the current administrative view that teachers are the problem that needs to be fixed. This administration has devalued its teachers and set their schools up for failure. We need leadership that will realize its greatest asset is its dedicated, certified teaching staff. Dr. Braithwaite has NEVER given any teacher that I know of one measure of support. All we get are threats and intimidation from her office. So, she is good to go to Akron. Bon Voyage!By Laura
February 12, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
Just because someone works for DPS does not automatically deem them unqualified for working in any other district. The condition of DPS is not the fault of any one person. The problems have been around for many years, and there is plenty of blame to go around but it doesn’t belong only to DPS employees, current or former. Most people who work for DPS work very hard, under very difficult conditions and don’t deserve the attitude that we are all somehow to blame and are all inferior to our peers.By Daisy
February 12, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
That would be a loss to Dayton but I do understand why she’d want to leave. More positive community support instead of constant mean-spirited criticism might help us keep people building our community instead of trying to escape the negative attitudes.By mario
February 12, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
That is an interesting point. I would submit that on many levels Dayton Public Schools is not in terrible shape. The last 5 or 6 years have been spent aggressively addressing academic issues and DPS has made great strides in that area. Are they where they need to be? Not yet, but they are moving ahead faster than most urban districts. Except for the projected shortfall due to unforeseen state funding decisions, DPS has been on solid financial ground since 2001 and continues this year to have a balanced budget. These challenges have been met head on by the board and administration. Crucial community relationships developed over the last 5 years with business, parents and other community members allowed DPS to leverage assistance in making the required adjustments less painful for students. Ms. Brathwaite has been an integral part of Dr. Mack�s team in making this happen. There are many school districts around Ohio who are looking to recruit seasoned, successful administrators. We should not be complacent about the people who make DPS their professional home.By Mary
February 12, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
“Carik”, you do not have to be qualified to be on the superintendent short list. As the Dayton Daily News pointed out a few years ago when Williams left town, it is a small cozy trade association. Rather than groom qualified people for these positions, they just play musical chairs and jack up their salaries sort of like company CEOs.By Carik
February 12, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
I am confused since the Dayton school systems is in horrible shape, why would anybody want someone from our area for their schools?