Darned details. Board must have forgot to tell us Sheffield lacks a super’s shingle
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:47pm Chuck Sweeny
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.
Entry Filed under: sheffield
11 Comments Add your own
1. unmanager | April 23rd, 2009 at 3:38 am
Agreed,though the entire process of this search,from the local candidates withdrawal to the back-room meetings,etc.,etc….seemed so disjointed,this twist is simply unbelievable.
2. Jerry | April 23rd, 2009 at 4:38 am
Looks like Linda may be the superintendent for a while longer. What;s wrong with these volunteers? Even those that didn\\\’t volunteer for the school board can see hiring a person without the credentials is wrong.
3. Harley Lowrider | April 23rd, 2009 at 5:50 am
Be careful Chuck before Pat Cunningham starts calling you a racist like he calls everyone that writes into his blog. Atleast the ones who dont agree with him.
4. hokumboy | April 23rd, 2009 at 6:25 am
Why did we never learn the names of the 3 “other” candidates that were in the original group of 7 interviewed? We were told of 7 candidates but only Sheffield, Saunders, Hernandez and Harzelak were ever named.
5. vicki isom | April 23rd, 2009 at 6:38 am
they gave the former prinicpal of jefferson so much heck, so now we get a new super and she isnt even certified, whoops did i forget to tell you im not certified!!!!.what is with this school board? you dissed linda, you just had to go and find someone better or so you think.you offer them this big money, while us people are struggling to make it and shes not even certified? did you forget that minor little detail. im not saying that she isnt qulified but do your homework next time.maybe you wont be laughed at.
6. coldhotel | April 23rd, 2009 at 7:50 pm
$210K is a lot of money for an uncredentialed superintendent. I don’t suppose they made the offer contingent upon getting certified? Could she be fired for cause if she fails to get the credential in a reasonable period of time?
7. blue_dog_dem | April 23rd, 2009 at 10:15 pm
It is important to remember why she was hired in the first place- because a local dentist sat next to Paul Vallas’s wife on an airplane. Her credentials can’t get any better than that.
8. jonw | April 24th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Sounds like the Rockford version of “Don’t ask, don’t tell”.
9. hokumboy | April 24th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Thanks for reminding us, blue_dog_dem.
You just made my weekend - I’ll have a smile on my face ’til Monday!
10. Billybeermonicagar | April 24th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Why would anyone expect her to have credentials to be a superintendent in Illinois if her current job did not require it. From my understanding, she will have the required credentials in late July. That is when she should take over the job. Too bad the last guy left. Can’t blame him though—Rockford or Naples?
11. blue_dog_dem | April 25th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
There is a double standard the way that we skirt the rules and bring Supts and Principals in through the back door. But it doesn’t work that way for teachers. Teachers have to have all their credits and coursework to be considered “highly qualified” . If a teachers doesn’t have the certification or the endorsement, they don’t get interviewed. It’s that simple.
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