[Mpls] MPS Board Announces Three Finalists

[Michael Atherton]

Doug Mann wrote:

> What capabilities have the finalists demonstrated that make 
> them the best of a very large pool of candidates for the job of school 
> district superintendent, in the opinion of the board members?

I have to echo Mr. Mann's question.  The school board should
be looking for an experienced superintendent who has been successful
in narrowing the achievement gap and enhancing the quality
of education.  The only candidate who comes close to meeting
these qualification is Mr. Olchefske, a White guy with build-in
flaws.  From the information released so far it doesn't appear
to me that Dr. King or Ms. Peebles have shown that they can
successfully reform a district like Minneapolis.  If the school
board has information not yet made public, I hope that they
release it before the decision next week. What we don't need
is another Black face to put a positive spin on a failing
system.  I'd like to hear why the school board believe that
these candidates will be effective.

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park