Saginaw Says No To Price

Price comes in third.....

Saginaw School District picks Carlton D. Jenkins as superintendent
By Tom Gilchrist | The Saginaw News

January 26, 2010, 7:38PM

By a 6-to-1 vote, the Saginaw School District Board of Education chose Carlton D. Jenkins as the district’s new superintendent on Tuesday night.

Jenkins, 44, is executive director of secondary and charter schools for the Beloit (Wis.) Public Schools.
"I feel we need an academic leader and a people leader, one who knew how to deal with people," said board President Delena Spates-Allen, who voted with the majority.

"I was looking for a superintendent who can develop positive relationships with the unions, with the teachers, with the staff members and, most importantly, our community," added Spates-Allen, explaining why she chose Jenkins, a native of Phenix City, Ala.

The board chose Jenkins over two other finalists: Frederick C. Clarke, 43, superintendent of the Albion School District in Calhoun County; and Steve Price, 54, former superintendent of the Middletown (Ohio) Public Schools.

Board Vice President Beverly J. Yanca was the lone dissenter, saying she favored hiring Clarke.
"I think that this district really needs (to hire) a sitting superintendent, and a real instructional leader," Yanca said. "We need somebody who has extensive curriculum experience, because that's what's going to bring the kids back to the Saginaw School District — when we narrow that achievement gap and when we improve student achievement here."

Spates-Allen, board Secretary Mattie Thompson, Treasurer Ronald S. Spess and members Norman C. Braddock, Glenda F. Richardson-Vaughn and Alexis S. Thomas cast their votes for Jenkins.
The board voted to hire Jenkins subject to “a mutually acceptable employment agreement” between him and the district.

The resolution approved by the board stipulated that the district will offer the job to Clarke if an agreement can’t be reached with Jenkins.

Jenkins succeeds Thomas N. Barris, who retires as superintendent in June.

"I think he will work effectively with this board and will be involved in all areas of this community," Richardson-Vaughn said.

Though Spess voted with the majority, he called Clarke his first choice.

"Until you're a superintendent, you're not a superintendent," Spess said. "Until you've been an assistant superintendent, you haven't been an assistant superintendent."