NEW HANOVER COUNTY — New Hanover County school board members discussed the characteristics it’s looking for in its interim and new superintendent — qualities that community members say were lacking in the last hire.
READ MORE: ‘Margin of error is a lot smaller’: Black community members speak out on Foust firing
The board of education met Tuesday to help paint a picture of its next leader after voting to fire its former superintendent, Charles Foust, on July 2. Last week the board voted to honor the terms of his contract by paying out the remainder of his $250,000 salary (plus benefits) while setting up this week’s meeting to discuss next steps.
One board member noted it was crucial the board get on the same page ahead of the hiring process.
“A divisive board will never hire a good superintendent; they just won’t,” Pat Bradford said. “If we can’t come into agreement for the students we serve and pick another candidate, then we have completely failed.”
Though Tuesday’s conversation was supposed to be about the interim hiring, each board member listed the traits they were looking for in both the temporary and permanent replacement.
Characteristics included someone who was transparent, highly communicative and a good listener, as well as connected to the schools and employees. Board Chair Pete Wildeboer also shared feedback from school principals who noted what they would appreciate in a boss.
Wildeboer said a diverse group of principals weighed in and want a people-person — someone “personable,” “approachable,” “student-centered,” “honest,” and “experienced” in the education realm.
Members of the Black community, who issued a statement in opposition to Foust’s firing last week and spoke to PCD, described Foust as lacking in some of these very traits. Advocate Derrick Anderson, who co-authored the statement, and Kayla Munn, a former NHCS employee, said Foust wasn’t a “personable” leader and his demeanor and approach could have been “softer” or “more polished.”
However, everyone PCD spoke to said Foust should have been given time to improve upon, what some perceive as, shortcomings instead of being fired — especially since last fall the board renewed his contract through 2027.
But the board needed someone to answer for the dreadful climate survey results it received earlier this month. Roughly 2,000 staff and teachers of 3,700 took it and revealed 70% of employees, mostly teachers, are dissatisfied with district leadership, calling out the school board and Foust specifically. The board will hold an educator town hall on Aug. 13 to garner further feedback on the desired new superintendent and future of the district.
On Tuesday, Stephanie Walker said at the meeting that staff’s feedback reflects just as much on the school board. Stephanie Kraybill suggested sifting through the aftermath should be a task of the interim.
“We have a huge climate and culture issue, and we need to allow the interim superintendent to investigate that openly, honestly, on their terms,” Kraybill said. “Not on us going to go find out — I’ve heard us say so many times, ‘We got to get to the bottom of this and get rid of it.’”
All board members, on both sides of the aisle, agreed whomever they chose would need to have financial aptitude, citing a desire to be rid of the $20-million budget woes it faced this year. Foust did warn the district of a looming funding cliff upon the expiration of federal Covid-19 dollars, which the district used to fund some employees. It had to cut almost 280 positions as the money ran out amid increased salary and benefits needs and dwindling student enrollment.
Focusing on the interim position, Kraybill suggested someone that will keep all board members in the loop and avoid showing favoritism toward certain officials. Hugh McManus echoed a similar desire for the superintendent to be “nonpolitical.”
Bradford and Melissa Mason said they wanted someone with a “willingness to take directives.”
Kraybill pushed back on the tenet.
“We need an interim superintendent who is going to, yes, take direction from the board, because we all unilaterally come to that decision, but somebody who pushes back a little bit and says, our district can’t handle that right at this moment, or our district can’t handle it,” Kraybill said.
She also suggested someone should be in place by the start of the school year; the traditional school year begins on Aug. 27. Currently, Chris Barnes is acting superintendent.
Bradford repelled that notion: “Anybody who thinks that we can hire anyone in two weeks has just no experience in the hiring process. It doesn’t move that quickly.”
Walker said she liked the chance to give input on the next superintendent before she leaves office this year; Barnhart said that consideration of the new board coming in should be a discussion as they move forward.
Tips or comments? Email brenna@localdailymedia.com.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
