Williams job search is surprise to School Board
News surprises School Board
By Peter Simon
Updated: 05/08/08 10:43 AM
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- James A. Williams is one of the final five candidates being considered for Superintendent of Schools in Memphis
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Buffalo School Superintendent James A. Williams’ decision to seek a job in Memphis, Tenn., took state and local school officials — both critics and supporters — by complete surprise Wednesday and prompted calls for Williams to quickly decide whether he is staying or leaving.
Robert M. Bennett, chancellor of the state Board of Regents, urged Williams to clear the air as soon as tonight, when he is scheduled to talk with the Board of Education about his yearly performance evaluation.
“I would hope the matter can be resolved [tonight],” Bennett said. “It should be resolved. It shouldn’t drag on.”
Williams refused to tip his hand Wednesday evening, issuing a brief statement and declining to answer questions from reporters.
“The Memphis City School District and their representatives recently contacted me regarding my possible interest in the position of superintendent of their district,” he said at a board committee meeting. “I was approached about this position, and I have not formally interviewed for this position. I am meeting with my board [tonight], and I will discuss this matter with them.”
In a “candidate report” released by Memphis school officials, Williams said he has not applied for other jobs.
The document said Williams “feels he has the courage to turn negatives to positives.” In addition, the report said: “Williams feels he knows what steps to take and has learned from his mistakes.”
Ralph Hernandez, a Board of Education member who is frequently critical of Williams, said his status as one of five finalists in Memphis should prompt the Buffalo board to begin considering plans to find a successor.
“The fact that he’s a finalist there tells me he obviously wants out of Buffalo,” Hernandez said. “My recommendation would be that we move ahead as though he’s leaving.”
Christopher L. Jacobs, an at-large board member who has strongly supported many of Williams’ key initiatives, said he was surprised and shocked that Williams “would even entertain the possibility of leaving” at a critical point in the district’s history.
“I feel like I was punched in the stomach,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs said Williams’ reform effort is prompting improvements in academic achievement and that he hopes Williams — who is under contract through July 2011 — stays in Buffalo. But Jacobs called the Memphis candidacy an unneeded “diversion” from the academic reform plan here.
Williams has been under fire for several months over controversies involving a seven- week suspension of a McKinley High School student; an allegation that a teachers aide fondled an autistic kindergarten student at School 67; and claims of improper influence in admission and grading at City Honors School.
Williams’ decision to seek the Memphis job is understandable in light of the attention given to those controversies and the badly divided and often contentious Buffalo Board of Education, said Samuel Radford III, co-chairman of the Buffalo affiliate of the Millions More Movement.
“The reality is, he can read the writing on the wall,” Radford said. “I guess it doesn’t hurt to cover your bases.”
Radford said Williams has had several successful initiatives here but other ill-conceived efforts.
“I think right now — clearly — he has been better than the superintendents we had before him,” Radford said.
The Memphis Commercial-Appeal reported Wednesday that Williams is one of five finalists for the superintendent’s job there and that interviews and community forums with the finalists are tentatively scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
The Memphis Board of Education is scheduled to discuss its options at a May 19 meeting and hopes to decide on a superintendent by July 1, the paper said.
But Stefan Mychajliw, a spokesman for Williams, said he does not expect Williams to be in Memphis early next week.
“As far as I know, the superintendent will be in Buffalo Monday and Tuesday,” he said.
Board President Mary Ruth Kapsiak said Williams informed her of the Memphis possibility last week but that the story broke in the Memphis newspaper before he informed the rest of the board.
“I don’t want the superintendent to leave Buffalo,” she said. “He’s moving the district forward. I don’t know what more people are expecting from him. It would be a great loss.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Williams met privately about academic improvement efforts with State Education Commissioner Richard P. Mills, Bennett, Kapsiak and Regent Arnold Gardner.
“I was with James for an hour-and-a half [Wednesday] morning, and he didn’t mention a word about Memphis,” Bennett said. “Not a hint — nothing.”
Bennett said he hopes Williams, who has been here three years, stays in Buffalo.
“It would not be good to have a change at this point,” Bennett said. “You’ve got to spend five years in a place to get your programs established and tested. I think we’ll lose ground if he goes. But that’s his choice.”
Buffalo Teachers Federation President Philip Rumore, who has clashed frequently with Williams, said the superintendent already has one foot out the door.
“I think it’s just a matter of time now,” Rumore said. “We wish him well, sincerely. I just don’t think it was a good fit here.”
The Memphis job is expected to pay about $260,000 a year. Williams makes $220,000 in Buffalo.
There are several ways that Williams and the Buffalo Board of Education could part ways.
Williams has the contractual right to resign as superintendent on 60 days’ written notice. He and the board could work out a termination agreement “upon mutually acceptable terms.” And the board could decide on a “no-fault” termination, which would entitle Williams to severance pay of up to six months salary.
