Heads up: The dent in superintendent
By Wade Kwon
The Birmingham school board fired superintendent Stan Mims Tuesday night. His downfall? Taking a think tank report [PDF] that listed problems within the system and deleting pages with critical comments before distributing the altered version [PDF] to the public and media. No severance pay — his contract was for $175,000 a year plus $7,200-a-month expense allowance — though the board could change its mind at the termination hearing.
Mims changed his story a few times on why he altered the report, claiming its findings would demoralize the staff, findings such as “Leadership: lack of strategic vision; poor communication; no sense of urgency or energy” and “Operations: lack of performance standards.” We know we’re demoralized.
Meanwhile, the council approved $3.5 million for 15,000 laptops for the school system, whether it’s ready or not, whether it wants them or not. Those computers are the ones that cost $200 each and need a yet-to-be-implemented wireless network. Wait, what did that report say again?
• The Birmingham News: School board fires Mims
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Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 11:28 am
Back to square one AGAIN for the schools… it’s never ending!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 2:34 pm
More like square -100. And sliding further behind with each passing superintendent.