Leadership Rockford
February 8th, 2009 at 11:23am Bob Trojan
I guess I was a little perplexed by today’s article in the RRStar that the school board was going to expand their search for the Superintendent. Several questions came to mind.
This would indicate that Linda Hernandez must not be considered the top choice from among the 6 finalists? I wonder what she must be thinking?
Maybe the school board should find a good Number 2 and extend her contract. This way, when she retires, we’ll have a ready-made next Super.
Then I thought, why can’t we be promoting local talent into this and other Rockford area community leadership positions? Example, with the opening at the Convention Bureau, will another outsider be given the reins?
With our drive to attract and retain professionals (as in Jobapalooza), our Leadership Training programs (as in the Chamber’s program) it would seem to me that our community needs to do more “promote from within”
I am familiar with well run corporations who are leaders in their field, Deere and Caterpillar come to mind.  This is what they do. They move their management into different positions around their company often in international positions. Then as they progress into higher level positions, they understand the business from all angles.
Why can’t something like this be done as well in Rockford? Surely we have talent locally that can be grown into these key leadership positions.
I think we need a better system for management development across our community and not always look to the outside for short term answers.
Entry Filed under: Management, People
4 Comments Add your own
1. big_bopper | February 8th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I agree. We need to grow our own and get someone who is already in this community. If you get an outsider, it takes too long to get familiarized with the system and learn who and who not to trust. An outsider doesn’t know what has already been tried and what “works”. Then when they do start making decisions, they are usually bad decisions. (like with Thompson) Hiring an outsider is too risky.
2. Veritas | February 8th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
I agree it’s preferable to grow local talent into leadership positions, but only if they’ve demonstrated the ability to lead with vision and deliver real results. Unfortunately, the results in District 205 over the last few years doesn’t help Hernandez in her pursuit of the job. We need new blood in the district, mixed with the experience of long-time middle management that add necessary continuity. A quality superintendent with urban school experience would have no trouble getting up to speed here. That’s what happened at the tourism bureau. Bringing in an experienced leader a few years ago made a difference there and produced results. Too bad local politics is what drove him out. We have a way of pushing away innovators, don’t we?
3. dave | February 9th, 2009 at 6:44 am
http://www.suntimes.com/data/1408824,illinois-salaries-teacher-administrator.article
Go to the link above and put in Rockford. You will see how much each teacher from the highest earned income to lowest. You will see that we definately need good leadership when so many in this district make 100k and way more per year.
The buidings are a mess, the graduation rate is low and where does our money go? Take a look, might shock you.
4. jst4kicks | February 9th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Dave, what are you doing to solve the problem? It is very easy to sit back and criticize the teachers on a blog. Have you walked a mile in their shoes? Some people may think you are overpaid for the job that you do.
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