The search for a new Richmond County school superintendent has taken on new urgency.
There are no official votes yet on how that process will start, though school board members said Saturday they expect to ask the Georgia School Board Association for assistance.
Superintendent Dana Bedden signed a contract Friday night to take over as head the Irving Independent School District in Texas.
His contract in Richmond County ends July 31, but he'll likely work just through the end of June, board members say.
Jimmy Atkins said Saturday that Bedden wanted to stick with the district during budgeting for the upcoming year and to hand out diplomas to the graduating class.
That gives the school board about three months to find a new superintendent -- or at the least to find qualified candidates.
If a suitable replacement can't be found before then, the school charter names the deputy superintendent, James Whitson, as acting superintendent.
"He's qualified and can definitely lead us," Atkins said of Whitson.
Bedden didn't return messages Friday or Saturday but did release a statement Friday night.
He lists his achievements during his three-year tenure, including: creating more accountability, restructuring leadership roles and improving public communication.
He emphasizes that there is no animosity between him and the school board or anyone on the school staff.
He said his decision to move to Texas was based on the "lack of consensus of a contract extension."
"I ask the people of Richmond County to support the Board's effort to find the next superintendent and to understand the challenges we face as we prepare next year's budget," the statement says.
Board member Jack Padgett Jr. expects the board to hold Bedden in place until at least June. Padgett said he would rather take his time with the search and set up an interim superintendent before rushing into a decision.
He believes the board was unanimous in its desire to see Bedden remain with the district. Their differences were over what kind of contract to offer him, Padgett said.
Padgett isn't optimistic about finding someone of Bedden's caliber. He describes the departing superintendent as "head and shoulders" above the competition during the board's search three years ago.
Another question mark is salary. Bedden's new contract gives him a $60,000 raise, and Padgett isn't sure Richmond County can compete in this economy.
Padgett was among the school board members contacted by Irving officials about Bedden's abilities. He said he didn't want to sell Bedden too strongly and lose the superintendent to Texas, but he was honest.
"There's no way you can't give him flying colors on everything," Padgett said. "If someone does a good job, you have to give him a good recommendation."
"they expect to ask the Georgia School Board Association for assistance". Why? Because they are ignorant semi useless appointees. Maybe we can use an "outsourced consultant". Do your job or go home. You cannot "blow your noses" without an "outside entity" to make a decision. "Look Inward". The ARC school system is full of "administrators". They are falling all over each other. Surely if they can "administrate" in a "principals capacity", they can in a position over other principals. What are their "career paths"? How do principals advance? Keep the "gravy" in a "home town bowl".
Padgett MUST be voted out. He thinks Bedden was great, which makes him either clueless or corrupt, possibly both. Let's get rid of ALL these idiots. Bedden, a proven liar, should not be ALLOWED to hand out diplomas, or associated with our students in any way, as he is a terrible example of a human being.
Make Butch Palmer superintendent. Wouldn't that be something.
Riverman1, that would be funny! Ho Hum, I am so tired of this story. I can't see why the Chronicle has run so many stories on it.
The best thing the trustees could do would be to take their time. Let the deputy become the acting superintendent at the deputy's current salary and give him the authority to run the system. Then the trustees can do a leisurely search without any artificial time pressures. The should also come to their senses and realize that Dana Bedden's final salary should not the the opening bid in the salary negotiation for the next superintendent. The next superintendent should come in a salary far below Bedden's. Then, if the superintendent performs well, give him raises as merited. If he does so-so, leave the salary where it is. If he performs poorly, show him the door.
Deester@6:50&Little Lamb@1:50-Really liked what both of you had to say.
Bedden already had so many administrators doing his job.They should wait on hiring any Superintent.
Bedden should have stopped all after school programs,or have parents pay a fee for the program.Who pays for the fit kids after school program?Stop the free transportation for out of zone students.
The Board members need to check out whats happening to other countys around us.Went to the (ajc)-Atlanta News,thanks to a poster on here.Really good articles.They are putting a freeze on all salary increases.They are going to increase the class size.Two more furlough days.They are closing schools.Thats just a start.
Littlelamb. If you look in the RC salary base you will see that Witson makes about 50K less than other directors. In fact he really makes less than some principals and teachers. Are you sure that is an appropriate salary?
My birddog submitted his resume on line today!
We need someone like Michelle Rhee who runs the Washington, DC school system.. but she is not the right color for the Augusta job
Here's the thing. An applicant doesn't care about Augusta's budget problems. Augusta may be teetering on BK, but there are a lot of places that are far better off financially. Augusta will get what it pays for.
There is this isolationist idea that Augusta is THE BEST and who wouldn't want to work for a paltry salary? Why, it's AUGUSTA, don't you know?
Sure, let's take the Deputy Super of Schools, promote him into the position, and then say "You now have a lot more work, a lot more responsibility, including legal liability, but we aren't going to give you one cent more. That's an huge insult to you, but we know you'll be ok with it."
Hey, who wouldn't just jump at that idea?
Super of Schools are found nationally, and Augusta has to compete nationally for candidates. Three years ago, Augusta couldn't find any qualified candidates until they raised the salary. And they aren't going to this time, either.
With teachers, you can have layoffs and you can increase class sizes. It's different with supers. There has to be a superintendent of schools, and they are never laid off. It's a recession-proof job. Even if a school system is dead broke, they still have to have a superintendent.
Disssman said:
Littlelamb. If you look in the RC salary base you will see that Whitson makes about 50K less than other directors. In fact he really makes less than some principals and teachers. Are you sure that is an appropriate salary?
You bring up an interesting point. Yes, if Whitson is working as deputy superintendent, then make him acting superintent at his current salary. Make him do the job or leave. If “other directors” are making $50k more, then take steps to lower their salaries to something below Whitson. The goal is to lower bloated salaries of upper-echelon administrators. Now is the time!
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