TC Supe Update
My story on Joan Hillard's contract not being renewed by the Temple City Unified School Board ran today.
A brief recap: Hillard has been the superintendent since 1999, survived a no-confidence vote in 2004, and apparently has a "strained" relationship with the teachers union, according to the union president.
Oh..and in the most recent school board election, three incumbents were shown the door. It probably comes as little surprise to people that Hillard's time in the district was coming to an end.
In the last 18 months of covering schools, I've covered at least four districts looking for a new superintendent. Unfortunately, the applicant pool is very small and as one search firm official told me last year, not everyone wants to go into the administrative side. Lots of politics and in some cases, not a lot of satisfaction. :(
Just in case the link doesn't work..the story is here.
Temple City to begin search for schools chief
By Caroline An, Staff Writer
TEMPLE CITY - Temple City Unified District's superintendent won't be around to greet students for the new school year next fall.
The district's board of education, at a meeting Feb. 6, voted 4-1 not to renew Superintendent Joan Hillard's contract. Matt Smith cast the dissenting vote.
Hillard has led the district of more than 7,000 students since 1999.
Board Vice President Bob Ridley declined to elaborate on a news release the district issued Feb. 8 announcing the action.
The board, "recognized Joan Hillard's steadfast leadership and dedicated years of service, serving as superintendent since 1999," the release stated in part.
The release, however, cited no reasons why the board is allowing Hillard's contract to expire.
Hillard declined to comment Tuesday.
Other board members also declined to comment until after tonight's school board meeting.
The search for a new administrator is under way. At tonight's meeting, board members are expected to request staff to seek bids from head-hunting firms.
Over the past decade, Temple City Unified has become an increasingly competitive district. A year ago, students at Temple City High School scored a combined 800 points on the state Academic Performance Index, which tracks academic progress at individual schools.
But even as the district has excelled academically, it has also struggled with low morale and a high administrative turnover. Additionally,
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racially motived violence between students has plagued the district. Last year, 17-year-old Deandre Eugene Netter was killed in a racially motivated shooting, according to police reports.
During last year's school board elections, the violence, and the district's perceived slow response to it, became a central campaign issue.
In November, voters elected three newcomers - Robert Ridley, Rachel LaSota and Janet Rhee - to the school board.
Hillard has also had previous problems in the district, In 2004, she received a no-confidence vote from the Temple City Education Association, which represents teachers. Teachers blamed Hillard for derailing a deal for a pay hike for instructors in December 2002. The deal later was withdrawn by the school board.
Association President Debra Maurey said she supported the board's decision. She said the relationship between Hillard and the nearly 300-member association has "progressively gotten strained."
"The decision has been made, and it's a good move for the district, kids and teachers," Maurey said. "We need a fresh start."
Prior to coming to Temple City, Hillard taught in Santa Clara Unified School District and at the Spreckles Union School District. She was superintendent of Spreckles Union in Monterey County from 1990 to 1999.
caroline.an@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4494
www.insidesocal.com/hallwaymonitor
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