KIMBERLY BELLAMY
One by one community members approached the microphone Monday night to address the Edgecombe County Board of Education on the qualities the next superintendent of the district should possess.
Some carried lists while others recited their concerns by memory, but each person made it clear that as Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon leaves Friday, they don’t want all of his initiatives to exit the district with him.
During the 30-minute period the board allotted for the public forum, seven people came forward to give input about the search for a new leader.
Seeking a candidate that is familiar with the county was an issue that was mentioned several times.
“Consider someone who knows our school system,” said Bernice Pitt.
Glenda Knight said the idealistic candidate would be someone in Edgecombe County.
Having prior knowledge about the challenges of Edgecombe County Public Schools was highlighted by the Rev. Roosevelt Higgs.
“Anyone that comes in doesn’t need to learn that, but already know that,” he said.
If the applicant chosen isn’t familiar with Edgecombe County, finding someone that will make an effort to learn about the area was a top concern for Shonell Daniels.
“(We need) someone that will be accessible to the parents and the community … get to know the community in which they serve,” Daniels said.
Other common interests expressed at the forum include finding someone that can handle the finances and the 1:1 Laptop Initiative.
“I would like to congratulate the board and district on its fiscal responsibility and the laptop initiative. Consider a superintendent that will put that foremost on the list,” Pitt said.
John Wooten said the board should find someone that will concentrate on a balanced budget.
“They need to continue the laptop initiative without missing a beat,” said Curmilus Dancy II.
Dancy was among the individuals that addressed unique issues such as the race of the applicant.
“I hope it will be another black male because of the makeup of the school system at this time (57 percent black),” he said.
Yolanda Thigpen said that she wants someone that will enforce the same policies across the district, and focus on the achievement and dropout rates.
Knight said that a doctorate degree should be a requirement, as well as someone who is in touch with the trends of education.
Daniels said the new superintendent should invest time in making the evaluation process for children to the Exceptional Children department easier.
Higgs encouraged the board to get the candidates up for election involved in the process, implying that it will make it easier for those that are elected to partner with the school system.
Pitt asked the board to look for someone that will work with the business community.
After the forum concluded, Witherspoon was presented with a resolution that outlined the accomplishments of the district during his tenure and a watercolor painting of the Tar River Bridge by Dr. George Hemingway as a reminder of his time in Edgecombe County.
Witherspoon acknowledged some recent success in the district of decreases in short-term suspension and dropout rates.
“Through this board’s leadership, we’ve been able to do some great things. I will be forever and eternally grateful,” he said.
The advertisement for a new superintendent has been posted on the school system’s Web site, http:// www.ecps.us, and applicants have until April 16 to submit their application to the board’s attorney Jonathan Blumberg of the Tharrington Smith law firm in Raleigh. The next public forum will be on April 19.
