Providence Superintendent Search: 10 Names to Watch

Providence Superintendent Search: 10 Names to Watch

The next superintendent of Providence Schools will inherit a district in disarray, complete with failing schools, closing buildings and a teachers union with an expiring contract and outright disdain for the city’s new mayor.

The key, according to state education leaders, will be finding a superintendent willing to collaborate with the union, but also someone committed to the reform efforts needed to turn around the failing school district.

Teachers Union President Steve Smith said he hopes to build a similar relationship with the next head of Providence schools as he had with outgoing Superintendent Tom Brady.

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“I’m looking forward to having a superintendent willing to have a true partnership with the union,” Smith said. “Someone who can draw on teachers’ expertise and believes in the teachers’ voice. In other words, Tom Brady.”

Brady, who has been recognized nationally for his collaboration with Smith and the teachers union, announced his resignation Tuesday after four more Providence schools were labeled as failing. He will finish the current school term before officially leaving in July.

Meanwhile, RI-CAN Executive Director Maryellen Butke said she hopes the School Committee brings in a candidate willing to reform the city’s struggling schools. “RI-CAN is confident the city will select a candidate committed to education reform.”

So who will the School Committee target as Brady’s successor? The search committee is only in its beginning stages, but leaders within the city, school district, and state provided GoLocalProv with a list of 10 names to watch in the coming months.

Angela Romans -> Recently named the Providence Mayor’s Senior Advisor on Education, the Harvard graduate worked on Mayor Taveras’ campaign and is largely viewed as the person helping shape

his ideas when it comes to education reform. If she isn’t in the running for superintendent, Romans will undoubtedly play a role in helping the School Committee makes its decision. (Photo at left.)

Carleton Jones -> The Chief Operating Officer of Providence schools since 2009, Jones previously worked in the Boston school system and Boston City Hall as a budget/policy analyst. If the School Committee wants to hire internally, Jones would be a prime candidate.

Tomas E. Ramirez -> Was the interim superintendent before Donnie Evans came to town and now serves as assistant superintendent of Labor Relations. If the School Committee wants a candidate that will have a strong relationship with the union, Ramirez would certainly be in the running.

Jennifer Smith -> The state Department of Education’s Chief Transformation Officer is favorite among education reformers, and if the School Committee wants to hire a Rhode Islander, Dr. Smith would likely be in contention

Victor Capellan -> The deputy superintendent in Central Falls served as an advisor on the mayor’s campaign team and is a name currently circulating around Providence teachers. Although he’s only

been on the job a short time, Capellan’s association with Central Falls could hurt his chances. (Photo at right.)

Sharon Contreras -> The Chief Academic Officer of Providence schools was recently named superintendent of Syracuse schools. But now that Brady has left, the School Committee could at least look into whether she is interested in sticking around for the top job in Providence - although it would likely mean taking a pay cut.

Garth Harries -> A member of the Broad Superintendents Academy Class of 2009, the New Haven schools assistant superintendent is expected to be contacted by the search committee. Harries graduated from Yale and Stanford Law and worked in the New York school system before moving to New Haven.

John White -> Another Broad Academy member, White is the Deputy Chancellor for Talent, Labor, and Innovation in the New York City Department of Education and is a former executive director of Teach For America in Chicago and New Jersey. If the school committee wants a national name, White might be the top choice.

Irvin Scott -> The Chief Academic Officer of Boston schools understands what it takes to work in urban schools, and served as both a teacher and a principal before taking on an administrative role. In addition to being a Broad Academy member, he was also a member of the Urban Superintendents Program at Harvard.

Penny MacCormack -> Currently serves as the Chief Academic Officer in Hartford and is credited with developing a standards-based curriculum and intervention system in the city. She could be another favorite among state reformers.

Long shot

Michelle Rhee -> Rhee will not be a candidate for the Providence job, but if the city really wanted to make a national splash, she would be the top choice. She’s controversial, and isn’t shy about her disdain for unions, so she wouldn’t be the most popular choice in Rhode Island. But her name alone could bring in a lot of money and would have all the top charter schools knocking on Providence’s door.
 

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