Richland 2: What's wanted in new leader

Richland 2 teachers and district employees believe the next superintendent must confront changing demographics even as he or see maintains a collegial, family-style atmosphere that has been the district's hallmark.

"One of the biggest things we are seeing is the growth of poverty in our district," Rita Raley, a first-grade teacher at Pontiac Elementary School, said at a Monday afternoon forum. "We need someone who is familiar with that."

There are more minorities in the district, including a growing Hispanic population, and teachers said they see a more transient population among district families.

Representatives of BWP & Associates, the professional search firm hired by the district school board, listened to about 30 teachers and district employees who spoke of the characteristics they sought in a new superintendent. An evening forum for the public drew only four people.

Teachers were adamant that the new superintendent embrace the culture of the district and maintain the district's signature magnet and choice programs, which allow parents and students to pick the schools they attend and devise a more individualized instructional program.

Parents must provide transportation to schools outside their assigned zone, and teachers acknowledged that remains a problem for district families who must rely on buses.

"We ought to make sure it is available to more than just the middle class," said Sally Huguley, a third-grade teacher at Pontiac.

Retiring superintendent Stephen Hefner's imprint on the district over his 16-year tenure is unmistakable, and many teachers cited his open style of leadership as a blueprint for his successor.

"It's personal power rather than positional power," said Elizabeth Griffin, a teacher for the hearing impaired. "In Richland 2, you never get the feeling that someone is trying to blindside you."

"Even as we have grown tremendously, we have kept that sense of family, and I think that is important," said Sara Wheeler, small grants coordinator at Richland Northeast High School.

William C. Symons Jr., who is leading the B.W.P. search team, acknowledged it will not be easy to find a candidate with the vision and leadership the district and the public demand.

So far, 54 people in South Carolina and across the country have expressed interest in the job. Potential candidates have until Feb. 23 to apply.

The search team will winnow those candidates down to a smaller list. Eventually, three top candidates will be introduced to the school board and district for walk-arounds.

Most district employees urged Symons to consider candidates who hail from the South or Southeast and who understand the culture of South Carolina and the legislative process.

But Rachel Bird Mongin, a fourth-grade teacher at Sandlapper Elementary School, suggested the search team also look to federal school employees, since there is such a large military presence in the district.

The team has posted an online survey on the district's Web site and is urging Richland County residents to log on and help develop the leadership profile for the district.

This story was originally published January 12, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Richland 2: What's wanted in new leader."