Detroit
rell
'1 lode .. s. Ri
Con-tSPOtUUlII
Darrell Burks, Detroit
Public School deputy super­
intendent of fiscal intregrity
might be the next general su­
perintendent, di trict sources
said.
If 0, tha t means a non­
educator would assume the
top spot of a public school
system.
Lawrence Patrie Jr., board
president, said 1;le believes 34-
year-Old Burks would do a
good job as superintendent.
However Burks comes
froin a mangeria1 bac ground
and boardmembers are split
on whether they prefer an
educator or manager.
"Darrell Burk has
demonstrated that he posses­
ses out tanding mangerial
skills," Patrick said. "I would
imagine that be would be able
to be quite successful as a
general superintendent of a
public schools system ... "
But, Kay Everett. board
vice president aid, she wants
none other than an educator.
"I definitely w nt omeone
who has an educational bac -
ground," Everett said. "I want
someone who as an educa­
tional background ith
mangeria1 skills."
MEMBERS FRANK
Hayden aJ1d David Olmstead
who are on the superintendent
search committee along with
Patrick and Everett also differ
in their choice .
Hayden favors an educator,
Olmstead fancies a manager.
"l think it's important that
we have an educator on the
top to insure that the educa­
tion of our children is first,"
Hayden ide
Generally executive school
officials have doctorate
degrees in education, Burks
doe not.
Burks, a certified public
accountant, ha a Business
Administration bachelors de­
gree from Indiana University.
He came to the public school
system t 0 years ago after
orking eight year for
Coopers and Lybrand ac­
counting and consulting firm.
Thougb ource confirm
Bur b s applied and dis­
played an interest in becom­
ing general superintendent,
Byron'
Flower
urks .figures in
Burks said he has not applied
"I THINK IT'S a tremen­
dous challenge for whoever
accep the job," Burks . d.
"It's flattering for someone to
even equate me with that
po ition. My capabilitie
clearly fi t in the fiscal area."
The application deadline
Ho ever Paul Zimmer,
state istant ttomey
general in education, said a
general uperintendent legally
has to meet the qualifications
for a uperintendent certifi­
cate which call for complet­
ing 40 semester hours in an
approved ccredited higher
education in titution em-
Two candidate share
interests in becoming
,new superintendent
By Flodea S. .
CO"tSpotUitlll
Shirl Gilbert, lnidanapolis pub! schools deputy su­
perintendent said he ha alway been an admirer of.
Detroit.
As a friend of Arthur Jefferson, former Detroit public
schools general superintendent, Gilbert aid he looked up
to Jefferson a mentor.
"I'm very close to Arthur Jefferson," GilbCrt said. "He
was one of the people close to me and who supported me
early in my career."
Coming from an educational background, some of
which he wa superintendent of schools in Petersburg,
Va., Gilbert applied for Detroit's opening and was in­
vited to the open house by the McKenzie Group, he said.
Also invited wa Donald Godbold, a former executive
officer in the Oakland Community College District in
MichigaQ. .
Born and educated in Michigan, Godbold said he
hope to return home.
Sources confirmed that Jerome Harri among many
others met with board members during the open house at
the National Association of Black School Educators con­
vention, Nov. ) 6 through 20, but Harris could not be
reached for comment.
---- -- -- - -- ------------ -----
wa Nov. 1, the new superin­
tendent i expected to be in
po ilion by July I. ) 991.
Burks would not comment
on whether he would tum the
job down if offered to him,
aying he would not pecu­
late.
The board ha not
specified whether candidates
or the next superintendent
will be required to have a
doctorate degree in education
or not.
P trick and Olmstead both
id degree in education is
not e ential if the candidate
ha outstanding leader hip
abilities.
"I do not think it nece -
sary," Patrick said. "I would
DOt be at all opposed to Du­
rell Burks or any other
IDIDger.·
phasizing 10 specific area in
education.
THE QUALIFICA-
TIONS have been mandated
by law, Zimmer said.
The candidate would also
have to posse a valid teach­
ing certificate and three years
successful teaching ex­
perience.
An applicant for su
tendent of a public scboOls
sy tem mu t abide by tbe
recently implemented rules,
. Zimmer added.
The requirements detailing
that superintendent ap­
plicants must come from an
educational background took
effect Jan. 14, 1989.
But a grandfather clau e
loose the rules a little, lim­
mer said.
1·
I
PAGE 11
DECEMBER Z - 8, 199 MICHIGAN CITIZE
WHILE TIE D G
ational Association of Blae
School Educators cony ntion
in Dallas, Texas No . 16
through the 20, boardmem­
bers co- ponsored a s erin­
tendent search open bouse.
Floretta McKenzie' t
former Washington D. C.
school up rinte dent con-
ul ling group wa the other
co-sponsor attr cting ap­
plicants from pla s includ­
ing California, 1 diana and
Geor ia.
The McKenzie group h
been hired by bo rdmembers
to identify and creen poten­
tial candidat .
Former Michiganc and
California Educator Donald
Godbold, Indianapolis School
Deputy Supe intendent Shirl
Gilb rt and Jerome Harris
former Atlanta uperintend nt
were mong candidate at­
tending the op n bouse. Bur
w not there.
Member Gloria Cobbin
and Edna Bell also were not
pre ent.
Patrick aid he attempted
to ntact th two to no avail.
However April Coleman,
b. rd member lect replacin
Ro c Mary 0 borne wa at
the open hous .
r notions." t
iption i ued
ecretary's of-
Llc n ed Socl.1 Worker
934-4843
Helpful Alt rnatlve
ERETTE GALLERY
ETC .... '
Suit. 201 L. 2
FRICAN CANES
16- 85