Changes loom at HCS, SSCC
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
In the not-too-distant future, perhaps as early as next year, two of the largest public academic institutions in Highland County may be realizing new leadership.
Southern State Community College already is seeking a new top administrator, after President Dr. Sherry Stout announced her retirement earlier this year. The search for Dr. Stout’s successor has been ongoing since the college’s board of trustees started advertising for the pending opening. (Dr. Stout has agreed to stay on through the end of 2009.)
College trustees held a special meeting this week to discuss the presidential search and, as board member Paul Hall said, “I have a sneaking suspicion we will be meeting a lot.” No argument there, Paul.
Finding a successor to a good administrator is no easy task, to be sure. Three years ago, the college trustees spent many hours in search of a successor to longtime college president Dr. Larry Dukes. That search, as we know, ended where it began: at Southern State Community College in the very capable person of Dr. Stout.
From my perspective, promoting from within is usually preferable; not only for the sake of continuity, but also because it demonstrates a sincere confidence in existing leadership. That’s not to say such an important and consequential decision ought to be limited in scope. It shouldn’t. There is an obligation to seek the best candidate. If, ultimately, that candidate is a local one, so much the better.
Three years ago, Paul Hall was the college board president. At the conclusion of the board’s presidential search, I remember Paul telling Dr. Stout: “You had to beat the best — and you did.”
That’s how it should be. The fact that the internal candidate also happened to be the best made the entire process seem just a little less arduous. And certainly a lot more pleasant.
•••••••••••••••
• Another area academic institution which may see a change in leadership next year is the Hillsboro City Schools.
Current Superintendent Art Reiber has hinted that the 2009-10 academic year may be his last at Hillsboro City Schools. While nothing’s been formally announced, Mr. Reiber initially told the board that he’d like to stay at Hillsboro City Schools for five years and this is his fifth year.
Mr. Reiber has enjoyed many accomplishments during his tenure, including improved academic performance and, of course, the grand opening of the new Hillsboro High School. As I recall, I wrote a letter to Mr. Reiber just prior to his arrival in Hillsboro. As I tend to do, I made a few suggestions.
It was my opinion at the time there were certain areas in need of some serious attention. Mr. Reiber wasted little time in addressing those concerns and the concerns of others in the district. He has served the district very well.
Not unlike the college board, the Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education will have a challenging task – one they will, no doubt, take very seriously. They, too, will not be limited in their search for an outstanding district administrator.
However, just as the SSCC board came to realize in 2006 that the ideal candidate was already on campus, it is my hope that the Hillsboro City Schools board sees a close-to-home ending in its search for the next superintendent.
The gentleman who serves as principal of Hillsboro High School and who has served the district in numerous capacities for more than two decades is, in my respectful opinion, a very qualified candidate for superintendent.
“The board probably has two or three very good candidates from within,” Mr. Reiber told The Highland County Press this week. “Mr. Earley is certainly one of them.”
Having known Rick Earley for 20 years and knowing the respect his community and professional co-workers have for him, I cannot imagine a better selection.
Mr. Earley, obviously, does not need (and may not want!) my personal endorsement.
But I would be remiss if I didn’t share with our readers the respect I have for this professional educator, coach, counselor and administrator. Simply put, he is one of the best.
So there’s my two cents’ worth on the potential successor to Mr. Reiber. Now, I’m off to read more resumes from the long list of potential successors to Dr. Stout. I’ll try my best to keep these two important positions in their proper perspective.
The ornery side of me almost wishes Mr. Earley would apply for the SSCC president’s position. But if that came to fruition, once he and I start talking baseball, the board meetings might never end. And, Lord knows, they’re long enough already.
Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of The Highland County Press.[[In-content Ad]]
Southern State Community College already is seeking a new top administrator, after President Dr. Sherry Stout announced her retirement earlier this year. The search for Dr. Stout’s successor has been ongoing since the college’s board of trustees started advertising for the pending opening. (Dr. Stout has agreed to stay on through the end of 2009.)
College trustees held a special meeting this week to discuss the presidential search and, as board member Paul Hall said, “I have a sneaking suspicion we will be meeting a lot.” No argument there, Paul.
Finding a successor to a good administrator is no easy task, to be sure. Three years ago, the college trustees spent many hours in search of a successor to longtime college president Dr. Larry Dukes. That search, as we know, ended where it began: at Southern State Community College in the very capable person of Dr. Stout.
From my perspective, promoting from within is usually preferable; not only for the sake of continuity, but also because it demonstrates a sincere confidence in existing leadership. That’s not to say such an important and consequential decision ought to be limited in scope. It shouldn’t. There is an obligation to seek the best candidate. If, ultimately, that candidate is a local one, so much the better.
Three years ago, Paul Hall was the college board president. At the conclusion of the board’s presidential search, I remember Paul telling Dr. Stout: “You had to beat the best — and you did.”
That’s how it should be. The fact that the internal candidate also happened to be the best made the entire process seem just a little less arduous. And certainly a lot more pleasant.
•••••••••••••••
• Another area academic institution which may see a change in leadership next year is the Hillsboro City Schools.
Current Superintendent Art Reiber has hinted that the 2009-10 academic year may be his last at Hillsboro City Schools. While nothing’s been formally announced, Mr. Reiber initially told the board that he’d like to stay at Hillsboro City Schools for five years and this is his fifth year.
Mr. Reiber has enjoyed many accomplishments during his tenure, including improved academic performance and, of course, the grand opening of the new Hillsboro High School. As I recall, I wrote a letter to Mr. Reiber just prior to his arrival in Hillsboro. As I tend to do, I made a few suggestions.
It was my opinion at the time there were certain areas in need of some serious attention. Mr. Reiber wasted little time in addressing those concerns and the concerns of others in the district. He has served the district very well.
Not unlike the college board, the Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education will have a challenging task – one they will, no doubt, take very seriously. They, too, will not be limited in their search for an outstanding district administrator.
However, just as the SSCC board came to realize in 2006 that the ideal candidate was already on campus, it is my hope that the Hillsboro City Schools board sees a close-to-home ending in its search for the next superintendent.
The gentleman who serves as principal of Hillsboro High School and who has served the district in numerous capacities for more than two decades is, in my respectful opinion, a very qualified candidate for superintendent.
“The board probably has two or three very good candidates from within,” Mr. Reiber told The Highland County Press this week. “Mr. Earley is certainly one of them.”
Having known Rick Earley for 20 years and knowing the respect his community and professional co-workers have for him, I cannot imagine a better selection.
Mr. Earley, obviously, does not need (and may not want!) my personal endorsement.
But I would be remiss if I didn’t share with our readers the respect I have for this professional educator, coach, counselor and administrator. Simply put, he is one of the best.
So there’s my two cents’ worth on the potential successor to Mr. Reiber. Now, I’m off to read more resumes from the long list of potential successors to Dr. Stout. I’ll try my best to keep these two important positions in their proper perspective.
The ornery side of me almost wishes Mr. Earley would apply for the SSCC president’s position. But if that came to fruition, once he and I start talking baseball, the board meetings might never end. And, Lord knows, they’re long enough already.
Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of The Highland County Press.[[In-content Ad]]