Darned details. Board must have forgot to tell us Sheffield lacks a super’s shingle

11 comments April 22nd, 2009

I’ve got to say I was surprised as heck to read that the Rockford School Board hired LaVonne Sheffield as District 205’s new superintendent, gave her a four-year contract starting at $210,000 a year, and, oh, by the way, did you know she’s not certified to be superintendent — anywhere?

Tiny little detail, the board must have thought. The people had no right to know this BEFORE the board hired Sheffield, right?

Sheffield has until July 31 to get her Illinois certification. She doesn’t think it will be a problem, but Regional Schools Superintendent Richard Fairgrieves says it’s a tall order to learn all that’s required in such a short time.

So, which is it? I wish I knew.

I hasten to add that a superintendent’s shingle is not something that overly impresses me. We’ve had some good supers, and some horrible ones. All had the proper credentials.

I wish Ms. Sheffield well, and I was impressed with her when she took part in the Editorial Board’s video interview.

I just would have liked to know that tiny little detail, the one about her lacking a superintendent’s certificate.