Small group of Montgomery ministers gather at Superintendent Focus Group Search Forum
Six ministers and interfaith-based community leaders met to give their opinions at a Superintendent Focus Group Search Forum at MPACT in Montgomery Monday night. The superintendent’s position opened up when Dr. Melvin Brown resigned last September after about two years on the job. A consulting firm from Illinois is helping MPS find a new superintendent, and this is considered the engagement phase of the search process.
MPS has been hosting meetings for people to weigh in over the past month. A small group of local church leaders gathered to talk about the qualities that they would like the next superintendent to have. They listed integrity, humility, and tenacity among the important characteristics.
“There are churches probably on every corner in this community, and the church has a way of reaching people beyond some of the schools and the other organizations. We have the opportunity to reach people right where they are, and so coming and partnering with the school helps us to understand better the needs of our congregants and the people that are in our church community,” said Pastor Sederick Fluker. He is the pastor at Bell Resurrected Baptist Church.
Montgomery County School Board Chair Arica Watkins-Smith said they have already received many applications. Candidates who fit the profile will have interviews and go through a three phase process until the group is narrowed down to the top two candidates. The Montgomery County School Board will make the final decision.
“They are just right there in the community, and they understand some of the conditions and plights that the kids are going through and families, many families, are going through. So we wanted to just have that voice in the room not only for us to gain information, but for them to share some things with us,” said Watkins-Smith.
Richard Williams is the lead pastor at Metropolitan United Methodist Church, and he was excited to give feedback. “The faith leaders that were present were very concerned – knowing that we wanted stability in our next leader. Our next superintendent needs to be resilient. We’re seeking someone that wants to be here in Montgomery, and wants to help not only Montgomery move forward, but allow the children to grow and learn and for them to be able to be educated as well,” said Williams.
There were only six pastors and ministers at this meeting. They told us that many people didn’t know about it or found out at the last minute. They said one thing that they hope is that an additional meeting will be scheduled so that the hundreds of faith-based leaders here in Montgomery can come and join the discussion.
If you’d like to provide input about qualities you think the new superintendent should have, go to www.mps.k12.al.us.
