Roy Exum: Jill Levine Joins Kelly

  • Thursday, April 28, 2016
  • Roy Exum
Roy Exum
Roy Exum

In a bold move to launch his start as the interim school superintendent, Kirk Kelly wasted no time in naming one of his most heralded principals as the chief academic officer of the Hamilton County Department Of Education. His reasoning for moving Jill Levine, currently the principal at Normal Park Museum Magnet: “Our children can’t wait.”

Kelly was picked as the school system’s Interim leader last Thursday night and Wednesday – his third day on the job – he introduced Levine, who had also been a finalist candidate. “I did it because it makes great sense. Our top need in the system is to improve academics. Jill has a proven track record, is very people oriented and we must improve immediately,” he said as he and Levine sat together in the Board of Education’s conference room.

“I have known Kirk a long time and really admire him. He’s a positive person and so am I,” said Levine as she slipped into the newly-created role which will carry the weight of associate superintendent, making her the No. 2 person in the central office pecking order. Her hiring also creates a question that left both Kelly and Levine laughing.

Kelly, who was appointed Interim by a very-easily identified segment of the school board, was asked if he would apply for the permanent superintendent’s position. “Right now I’m just taking it one day at a time,” he replied. When Levine was asked if she would apply as the permanent, she said “Day to day,” in a way that left both educators laughing.

It is believed Shaun Sadler, a retired Marine Corps colonel who was the third finalist, will apply for the permanent role but no timetable has been announced. It will probably be after the Aug. 4 election since there are four school board seats, all being contested, that will be involved.

Levine’s appointment came as a surprise to many in the central office and shocked some principals. “I like Jill and we get along well.  But this is one of the most back door dealings done in my recent memory,” one principal said on the promise of anonymity. “The politics are alive and well, while the people who do the day to day work continue to be left in the dark and shown they (we) have no value at all in this district.”

“Principals were blindsided with this news.  Better yet, so were the people currently working as directors in curriculum/instruction,” the principal added. “It is a sad situation when someone is appointed to such a high-ranking position that did not exist last week and has never been in a high school, dealt with AP courses, ACT, etc.  Her only experience in any principal’s position has been that at NP, again a carefully orchestrated success."

The principal also added, “There isn't much that could have been done to further slam the work of everyone who begs for money daily, can't add positions due to budget restraints, deals with the 'regular' kids and community and is not valued.  It is a great error in judgement by Dr. Kelly.”

Ironically, we talked about that during the meeting with the two top school officials. “Our teachers are our biggest asset and I feel we need to give them the support many feel they are not getting,” said Kirk. And, as Levine pointed out, “We must let them teach, let them be successful. That is one big reason I jumped at this chance."

She added, “The success we have had at Normal Park is because we have a great faculty. Dr. Kelly and I feel this magnificent wave of community support with the Chattanooga 2.0 program. This is the perfect time for me to take the next step and really work hard towards getting the teachers what they need.”

Up until yesterday, Assistant Superintendent Robert Sharp had been over curriculum. “The better truth is that Robert has been doing the job of three people. What this really does is lift some of the burden off of him,” Kelly explained, noting two assistant superintendents will be working under Levine.

“We are making academics the top priority. We still have schools open – our children don’t just stop as we make leadership changes,” the interim superintendent said. “We’ll advertise the two positions in the academic model and conduct interviews,” he added, eager to get away from the “good ole boy” network that has stymied the Department of Education.

“I don’t know what that really means,” Kelly shook his head, Levine dashing in to say, “Kirk is definitely not ‘a good ole boy,’” and wanting to avoid the subject. At lunch two Sundays ago, Levine talked openly about the GOBs and deplored the clandestine way the school board has worked for years. She knows it exists and to openly advertise and interview improves transparency, which admittedly was not to case when Levine was chosen as the new chief academic officer.

“As interim superintendent I have the ability to hire people without going through the school board, for example,” said Dr. Kelly, “but I want to be completely transparent. Obviously adding Mrs. Levine to our team was one of the quickest things I needed to do. We need to finish the year strong and plan hard for some other changes before next year’s school year starts in August.”

Kelly was realistic. “We’ve got 4,000 teachers and staff and 43,000 students. If we aren’t moving ahead, that’s how many people who are hurt. We must begin to improve right now.”

Jill Levine is a dandy start.

royexum@aol.com

 

 

 


Jill Levine
Jill Levine
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