Wilcox resigns as superintendent; reactions are mixed
By ALEXANDRA CALDWELL
Article published on Tuesday, April 22, 2008  |
PINELLAS COUNTY – Pinellas County Superintendent Clayton M. Wilcox announced he will resign in order to join Scholastic Corporation in New York as vice president of education and corporate relationships.
In his new position he will build relationships with district administrators, state departments of education and education organizations, according to a release by Pinellas County Schools.
The School Board plan to discuss steps to name Wilcox’s successor on April 25.
Board members have mixed concerns for what the resignation means for the county but wish Wilcox and his family well.
“On a personal level, I’m very happy for him,” said chairwoman Nancy N. Bostock. “It’s a good opportunity for him professionally, and it’s good for our students nationally that he’ll have an influence over improving literature nationwide. For us here in Pinellas County, of course, it’s a great loss.”
Vice chairwoman Peggy L. O’Shea said the position at Scholastic is a wonderful opportunity for Wilcox, but she’s concerned about finding a quality replacement during such an economically difficult time. Pinellas County is the seventh-largest school district in the state, she said, and within the top 25 largest in the country. The district is facing massive budget cuts, she said, and it may be difficult to find someone who is willing to take on such challenges.
Board member Mary L. Tyus Brown said she also wishes the best for Wilcox and his family and wants to find a replacement as soon as possible. She agrees there are major issues in the district, but she said there are people in the district who can deal with them.
Many people have worked closely with Wilcox on the major issues, said Harry Brown, associate superintendent for curriculum services. The biggest strength in the district, he said, are the excellent teachers and principals. Given the number of issues on the table, Brown believes the board should first look at internal candidates who are familiar with the situation.
Wilcox became superintendent in November 2004 with his original contract ending June 30, 2008. But on July 31, 2007, his contract was extended to June 30, 2011. Wilcox has asked the board to be released from his contract as early as June 1, 2008, according to a press release.
There’s never a good time to change high quality leadership, Bostock said, but the county has been fortunate.
“We’ve been blessed here in Pinellas County to have incredibly stable leadership,” Bostock said. “In most large urban districts, the average tenure is three years, and we’re a little past that.”
Wilcox could not be reached for comment, but in a written statement he said he looks forward to helping children on a national level.
“I have loved my time working with students, parents and educators of Pinellas, and we have made real progress toward our goals,” Wilcox said. “Now I am taking another step in my career and toward my dream of helping to improve the literacy of students all across the country. I am honored to have this opportunity to work with all of the staff of Scholastic, and particularly with Dr. (Ernest) Fleishman, himself a former school superintendent, to use all of the tools at our disposal today to help children nationwide become proficient readers and successful students.”
With Wilcox as superintendent, the district has improved student achievement with more students reading at or above grade level than at any time in the county’s history, and more minority students are taking honors and advanced placement courses, according to the press release.
“I think he has brought an increased scrutiny in improving student achievement,” Bostock said. “Alongside that, I think he’s done a good job in his openness and bringing more transparency to our decision-making.”
The School Board has scheduled a workshop for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 25, in the cabinet conference room in the Administration Building, 301 Fourth St. S.W., Largo. The workshop is to discuss policy revisions from 9:05 until noon and the next steps in the superintendent succession process from noon until 1 p.m. The workshop is open to the public.
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Article published on Tuesday, April 22, 2008
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