Chamber of Commerce withdraws offer to help in Montgomery Public Schools superintendent selection process

The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce says it’s withdrawing its offer to help Montgomery Public Schools in the process to choose a new superintendent.

The Chamber had offered to help host the finalists’ receptions and fireside chats scheduled for March 24 and 25.

Anna Buckalew, Chamber president and CEO, released this statement:

“The Chamber had originally agreed to help co-host these events, based on the expectation of a sincere search process that recruited the best and brightest candidates from around the country. That did not occur, in spite of repeated appeals by a coalition of local leadership for transparency and a request to continue and broaden the search.

“The Montgomery County Board of Education has sent a very clear signal that the only engagement they seek is to offer audiences with candidates whom they have already selected behind closed doors. The future of MPS students and the vibrancy of Montgomery is at stake here, and that’s worth fighting for.

“The Chamber again reiterates we are proud of the progress in Montgomery Public Schools and will lend our full support to an expanded and open superintendent search. Montgomery’s students must be ready for the jobs and opportunities new industries generate.”

The Chamber says it and other local leaders have been frustrated about the search for a new superintendent. The Chamber says on March 10, they met with MCBOE leadership to appeal for better communications and and the high expectations for the level of excellence they expect in candidates to lead the district.

The Chamber said a request was made at the meeting to leave the search open and request assistance from Alabama State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey, if necessary.

Instead, the Chamber says the following day, the school board announced its two finalists for superintendent.

The Chamber says it and business, elected and civic leaders strongly supported the school system in the past, to increase ad valorem taxes by 12 mils for MPS. in 2020 It says it also supported the renewal of 3.5 mills for MPS last year.

The Chamber said it and other leaders had wanted the school board to renew the contract for then-Superintendent Dr. Melvin Brown. He resigned from the position on November 1, which is what created the current opening.

The Chamber called his resignation, after about two years on the job, a “serious blow.” The Chamber had previously asked that the state take over Montgomery Public Schools after Brown’s resignation.

“We can’t just take over a school district,” State School Superintendent Eric Mackey said at the time. “I realize we have this resolution today but we can’t just take over a school district because a local chamber or mayor or a county commission asks.”