PPS School Board Hires Superintendent From Within

by Steve, October 1st, 2007

I’m very happy to see that the Portland Public Schools Board of Education has hired from within for the next superintendent. Not only did Carole Smith grow up in Portland, she hasn’t pissed off the community in her tenure at PPS. This is a very good starting point for our next leader, something certain other candidates did not have in their favor.

I don’t know much about her, but I’m cautiously optimistic and hopeful that she will value community input in her policy making.

The school board will meet tomorrow morning to formalize the hire, and there is a press conference scheduled later today at Franklin High School to formally introduce our next superintendent.

4 Responses to “PPS School Board Hires Superintendent From Within”

  1. Comment from paul g:

    Looks like a good hire. The experience in Boston will help. I’m glad to see they went ahead with a national search, even if they ended up with a local candidate. There is no reason to settle for second best, and it doesn’t look like the Board did.

  2. Comment from marcia:

    Thanks for the video, Steve. My first peek at our new supt. I am cautiously optimistic, too, as are many folks in the district. I also hope we aren’t convened at the Rose Garden for a media pep rally like we were when VP arrived.

  3. Comment from Lisa Richardson:

    Like most people I am cautious and also very hopeful. I am so glad they hired from within, and I hope that it is the start of good things. We’ve got a couple people on the board that I am optimistic about, and an election for the open seats in May 2009. I am optimistic that this means great things. I hope I’m not wrong!

  4. Comment from Sheila A.:

    One thing I’ve noticed about this new superintendent is that she isn’t the type who gives a damn about the media. She’s just there to do her job. Once she gets settled, she won’t need to hog the camera. Her actions will do all the speaking she needs to.
    I’m glad to see that we are all pleased. I was starting to get worried that I would have to debate down some of you pessimistic folks. Geez, that’s stressful you know? We’ve got to have SOME kinda optimism. At least…