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Thursday, March 4, 2010

Updated: Dr. Susan Marks, Finalist for Superintendent

The Norwalk BOE announced the selection of a finalist for superintendent today. Dr. Susan Marks is currently the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources in the Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, MD. Before that, she was a Community Superintendent for five years in Montgomery County where she led the instructional programs in 30 schools. She has also served the Montgomery County Public Schools as Chief Information Officer, and as Principal of two elementary schools. Dr. Marks received her Ed.D from the University of Maryland.
Dr. Marks will be visiting the Norwalk Public Schools early next week.

Parents and community members are invited to meet her on Monday March 8 from 7-9 p.m. in the Community Room at City Hall.

Norwalk is not the first district that Dr. Marks has applied to be Superintendent. At the end of February she was one of three finalists for the position of Superintendent of Schools in Newton, MA. She attended an all-day visit to Newton schools on February 26, including a publicly held interview session with Newton's School Committee.

According to an article in the Newton Tab, Dr. Marks told the Newton SC that she is known in the Montgomery school system as a "utility player." "When the superintendent needed something done, (he) called on Susan."

While Dr. Marks tried to accentuate her strengths and accomplishments to the Newton SC she also, in response to a question, noted areas in which she did not succeed:
While many members asked Marks about her point on view on policy issues like the importance of classroom technology or how she would start funding the repair or replacement of aging school buildings, board member Matt Hills pointedly asked Marks to give an example of when she made a decision “and you blew it.”

Marks said as a community superintendent, she worked with a school panel that interviewed candidates for a principal’s position. That panel – made up of parents and school staff – supported one candidate, but Marks favored another candidate because she had a “preconceived notion of what the school needed.”

“I hired the other principal. I should have listened to my committee. And it was not a good match for the school. I tried to support that principal, it went on for a couple of years, and we did use our evaluation system to remove the principal,” she told Hills.
Interviewed by the Newton edition of the Boston Globe, Dr. Marks said, "I’m committed to technical education but also to ensuring that all students are prepared to go to college...The ideal is that no student who wishes to attend college needs to take a single remedial course."


Ultimately the Newton SC decided to choose one of the other candidates.

Here is a link to her resume:

And here is the press release from the BOE.
   Press 001
Posted by Moina Noor

49 comments:

  1. Can we assume then she did not get the job in Newton MA?

    http://www.williamspto.org/2010/02/21/superintendent-search-update/
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  2. I'm actually kind of excited! She looks great on paper and I love that she has background with IB programs!
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  3. I do not think we can assume that she did not get the job in Newton (which by the way is a good public school system in the suburbs of Boston). The site said that a final offer would be extended at the end of March....
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  4. I grew up in Maryland and still have family there actively involved in education, and Montgomery County has an excellent reputation. On the surface she looks like a breath of fresh air and an excellent candidate from a really solid school system. Bravo!
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  5. I'm one who has occasionally been criticized for being negative, and so I am happy to report that I am becoming hopeful for the first time in a long time. Maybe the board will do the right thing.
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  6. She sounds excellent, but which job would she want???
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  7. Kudos to Moina for getting the story! Thanks so much. She looks good, can't wait to meet her in person next week. All PTOs in town should encourage their parents to attend the meet and greet.
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  8. 11:06 The Newton, MA school website says that their BOE selected a sup on Feb.28.: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee/index.html
    I think that it is a good sign that she was considered as a finalist in that district.
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  9. A word of caution to the board:

    For the site visit to this candidate's district, I hope you won't include anyone who has ever been (or might oneday be) a candidate for superintendent in Norwalk.
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  10. Which inroduces the question; who is going down to Maryland? To the board, if this is the bast canidate for the job, than the board needs to get out front and support their choice. We must get this right. As for the canidate Dr. Marks, ya have your working boots ready?
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  11. Takes two to tango. We are checking her out thouroughly but has she checked us out? Is Dr. Marks completely aware, eyes wide open, coming into this, er, challenge? The car comes with the job, if she wants a used rental. However, the salary is attractive enough, relocation debits are the responsibilty of her accountant, not ours.
    Welcome to hell, Dr Marks.
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  12. Boards of education often pay for relocation.

    Dr. Marks, whatever is wrong with the climate in Norwalk, please know that many people have been clamoring for true leadership for a very long time. The last time this community had an educational leader who inspired staff was when Dr. Sloane was superintendent.

    I hope Dr. Marks sees Norwalk as an opportunity to prove her ability to inspire and lead the transformation of a district. If everything checks out on her background, and she interviews well with the committee, the board needs to vote unanimously in favor of her.
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  13. I welcome change in Norwalk. A concern though when you look at the resume and really delve into the work experience--there is not any teaching experience. That is a concern. As a teacher, I want the leader to have some knowledge of classroom. I also wonder how long a person would stay at the age, if you do the math she has been working since 1970--that is 40 years.
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  14. Just for information, she was not selected for Newton. That is not a bad thing. She was a finalist, and this and more info. can be found with using google. The supt.
    good searching...
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  15. This is one elementary schools P.T.O. website keeping their constituents informed.

    http://www.williamspto.org/tag/dr-susan-marks/

    I am jealous, one elementary school has their act ogether better than our entire district.

    They understand transparency and communication our key ingrediates to a good apple pie.
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  16. If she has been working for 40 years, does this make her a retiree from another state?????

    Does this sound all too familiar?
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  17. Last time I checked it was illegal to discriminate on the basis of age.
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  18. 12:32 - How is that relevant? Don't judge everyone by Sal Corda and his entourage. What about the principal of Brookside? He is a retiree from another state, and I hear that he is a fine principal.
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  19. Today's Hour article reports that leaders from the Parents Coalition in Montgomery County had not heard of her and said that her position there (Asst Super) was a "buffer." We definitely need someone who is active in the community! What's the plan for talking with more people from Montgomery Co., and for that matter with teachers at the schools where she was principal to see their take on her policy & management ability?
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  20. This will be a "buffer" for Norwalk, also. As qualified and energized as Dr. Marks may be, she will only act as a placeholder in our system. Think about it. Knowing that age discrimination is on the list of no-nos--She has to be 60+---Is that what we want in our system now??? Been there done that. Doesn't anybody out there think those thoughts went through the minds of the Newton MA school committee? Maybe not. I am sure that she is more than up to the task of taking on this school system--for a couple of years. Remember that Ralph Sloan ran this system quite competently for 15+ years. Those days are gone, but so should the days of bringing on those that want to feather his/her nest in the twilight of career. Norwalk should pause here, but holding up to form, it won't. In today's world, if you are not a superintendent by 45, the game is pretty much over--not that many are clamoring for this. There are a select few headhunters out there that push a very few for most of the positions. As Walter Cronkite once said, "And that's the way it is...." If Dr. Marks gets the position, welcome to Norwalk. There is much to take on here. Please don't let the retirement package get in the way of all your talent can do for our district.
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  21. We need an energetic person with fresh ideas, not a retiree from another state. We have plenty of those, and MOST of them are terrible. The aim of the retiree from another state is to add to his/her pension. Please don't insult me and tell me otherwise.
    As for the comment about age discrimination, I am not making the decision on appointing this person, I am simply commenting on her appointment. I reviewed her resume, there was plenty lacking there to reject her based on lack of qualifications.
    We need sparkle and spine in Norwalk. We need someone to take charge of the 'bad boys' and the unions. We have seen enough people who have amazing vision when it comes to interviews, even those with dancing sugar plum visions...Talking the talk never seems to translate into walking the walk. Please, the lady doesn't appear to have what it takes according to her resume, in MY opinion.
    Yes, I hope I am wrong.........BOE make absolutely sure you get the WHOLE picture when you visit her district.
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  22. I'm disgusted to think that after all the dialogue and the focus groups that this is the best we can do. . .an end-of-career retiree. Didn't anybody bother to listen to all the opinions that were solicited? We said we wanted someone to make a career in Norwalk, not end a career in Norwalk. We said we wanted someone with energy, not someone who is winding down. We will NEVER learn in Norwalk. State take-over sound good to anyone else? We've proven once again that we don't have the skills to get ourselves out of the mess we've gotten into.
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  23. I think several commenters above have raised valid questions about whether Dr. Marks will be immediately eligible for a pension when she leaves Montgomery County and also how long can we expect her to stay as superintendent. She should forthrightly answer these questions.

    I also have concerns about how effective she will be. Right now she works in the nation's 16th largest scholl system. Norwalk isany times smaller. We're like a start-up compared to a Fortune 500 company. Big CEOs usually font adjust very well to small outfits. We lack the infrastructure And systems that big operations have. You have to make you're own coffee here if you get my drift. Additionally our biggest problem is the so-callled achievement gap with minority students. I see nothing on Dr. Marks' CV that indicates that she has dealt directly with shaping the curriculum and enacting policies to address these needs.

    Finally the BOE should be presenting the public multiple candidates not just one. We have no one else to compare Dr. Marks to.

    I would urge everyone who cares to come to Monday nights meeting and give her a fair chance but she needs to be asked pertinent questions this shouldn't be a crowning.
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  24. I think Norwalk needs to give her a chance. This district needs a fresh set up eyes to come in and clean up the administrators that are poison to our district. Maybe she can clean up on the administrators who thrive on negativity and blame such as Peggy Bud at central office - please read the CREC report on special education.
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  25. Come Monday Night, City Hall, Community Room - check her out in person! Pass the word around, this is very important!
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  26. Dr. Marks has a very impressive resume. When interviewed about a mistake she made in hiring she was articulate and open about the error.

    Many of you are commenting on the age issue. I think you are misguided for a couple of reasons. To begin, there is a lot to be said for experience. While youth has it's benefits it also has its drawbacks. Think about it. As we mature and gain professional experience how many of us observe our younger colleagues making mistakes. Yes, that's how we learn but at this stage do we want a new superintendent that does not have life experice behind her/him. Of course not. We then have the possibility that she enjoys her work and a challenge. There are people out there in the world that are fortunate enough to feel passionately about what they do and relish an opporunity to affect change. Now, consider this, a number of people simply are not interested in retiring. It's scary. Perhaps it's a financial issue that keeps people working in today's economy. Who really knows.

    At the end of the day, we should be pleased that someone of Dr. Mark's caliber is even interested in working in Norwalk. For many of us there is not enough money in the world to take on the headaches associated with this district. Let's keep our minds open. Ask her hard questions. And listen to her answers. Let's emphasize communication. This district is wounded and has a culture of distrust. Let's be honest with her and with each other.
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  27. it might be nice to vent and share opinions, but the boe has spoken, and this is a done deal. when you have only 1 finalist and the backup couldn't commit, then this is it.
    the boe has decided they didn't want an insider, or a local. they hired a firm who searched and found someone with 40 yrs. experience...draw your own conclusions.
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  28. Calling valid questions about qualifications and performance expectation misguided is, well completely off the wall. And its a shame that board memember didnt have the courage to post their name. People, this board for the most part is dysfuntional. There is no justification to trust their judgements, at all. The community has every right and a duty to be suspect of continued poor judgenment calls. The community has screamed for transparencey and gets the curtian continually closed. Dr Marks may be a good fit and she may not be. To the Board, WE, make the call, you are our elected representives to attend to normal business and you have failed us repeatedly. Why is the community not kept updated or given a selection of canidates. We have a continuing ego issue on that board and it needs to be tempered. We need to bring out the entire community, everyone, all the people, parents. students, and hey teachers this is going to be your boss, perhaps. Bruce, all hands on deck. Standing room only, out the door. This is it. Speak now or it may be too late for Norwalk.
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  29. Experience at age 50 is wonderful. Some may have it all before age 50, although that person would be exceptional. Age 60+ is someone apparently looking for more retirement benefits and, quite frankly, Norwalk just loves those retirees. The school system is beginning to look like Century Village in Florida.

    For your amusement....

    Give me your (re)tired, your poorly pensioned, your cuddled lasses yearning to be free...
    Your wretched refuse from your teeming (school) systems.
    Send these, the homeless, aged and lost to me,
    I open the bank to Norwalk's golden door.



    (many apologies to Emma Lazarus)
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  30. To those who wanted the insider and who are complaining about age - The insider is also 60+.
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  31. 12:47, you never fail to get your digs in. Amazing! You never give up on trying to ruin the reputation of that one person. I hope when this is all over, you get some badly needed therapy.
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  32. Since when does age have anything to do with a person's reputation?
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  33. *Libel Alert*
    Just a heads up to anyone reading this "insider" business. The insider appears to be "The Insider,"a proper noun. There is some strange stuff going on and it seems that both 12:47 and 3:33 seem to be more in the loop than I. I don't know who The Insider is but just a warning to both The Insider and those who know the Insiders identity this behavior does not help the community and especially the students. Let the community focus on questions that will reveal the finalists true intentions. There is obviously some selfish contempt going on here and it's in no ones interest but their own.
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  34. The old board set the rules to exclude community input on the screening interviews (pretty obviously to sneak their candidate in, but that's old news).
    There are community forums where, I hear, Marks is going to be evalauted. So, the community will have their chance.
    As for questionning if we can do better, don't you think that she was a finalist for the Newton job speaks volumes about the woman and the qualities she brings to the job. If you look at the articles in the Newton Tab that talked about their process, they interviewed 2 dozen people-- and we know that the cream of the crop interviewed there.
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  35. She didn't get the job there. That speaks volumes too, don't you think? Don't you wonder why?
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  36. I'm going to the parent forum for curiousity reasons - my opinions or concerns, as a parent, won't matter anyway. It will not weigh on whether she stays or goes. It took the BOEm this long to find a candidate and there is no other option. The decision was made. Parents need to be better advocates when decisions are made in schools. The new BOE members need more pull or force - we truly need a brand new representation. Regardless, Monday will be an interesting night.
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  37. talk and speak all you want...it is done. she is the only one brought forward. the boe is bringing no one else. the input given was the surveys filled out when the search firm was brought in. many didn't realize they would have no other input. so everyone can ask the hard questions, not like the answers, and it won't matter. it is done.
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  38. The BOE was elected by the community...you had your input! You now have this for how many years?????
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  39. Is there assisted living in Norwalk? Maybe that is the next step!
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  40. How is it that most presidents of our nation have been much older than this woman, but that seems not to bother the majority of Americans?
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  41. Now that is an interesting spin on age. While it is true that presidents have been much older, is education different? I don't know the answer. I would think though that so many of our elected officials have been in the business way too long, and probably should be out of there now. However, another way to look at it, presidents don't take the office just to spend a few years and then retire. Like others have said we need to let this go, and do the best and hope for our children's sake we are in the right direction.
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  42. So is Dr Marks the ONLY finalist selected after all this time (Cora resigned 9 months ago).
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  43. Here is the bottom line.....everyone said that he/she did not want a retiree. Who is the only candidate going forward??? A Retiree!!! So much for input.

    Look at the resume carefully. Do you see anything missing? SHE HAS NEVER TAUGHT ANY CLASSES. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????

    The hiring of the superintendent for Norwalk Public Schools is the most important item on the BOE's agenda. With all the parents not politicians aboard, I think the ship will finally sink with this new captain.
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  44. Hey, 11:32- when did "everyone" say that they didn't "want a retiree"???? And, not that the facts should cloud your bias, but who the heck said that Susan Marks was a retiree?

    Despite some warped rules that excluded the public that the old guard came up with, and their handpicked Papaload character who did nothing to move us forward, the new folks seem to have worked together to give us someone qualified.

    By the way, were you also screaming that the new Dir. of Elem Ed had never taught elementary school and had never even been an elementary school principal. Just curious where your double-standard ends and your hypocricy begins.
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  45. 11:32

    You're right! I forgot speech pathologists just sit in classrooms and twiddle their thumbs. Besides Norwalk has no special needs students and all the test scores are fine. Why would they ever hire someone from that background? Besides all those with more extensive classroom experience that came before did great! That would definitely lead one to believe that any other background would spell disaster for this district. I'm definitely with you on this one. We are screwed.
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  46. 1:30 & 1:48 - Excellent points!
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  47. Well lets see, less than 90 folks were in attendence. Perhaps if there had been more notification maybe there would have been more parents and teachers present.

    Dr. Marks, the current, sole candidate presented by the board for community consideration, demonstrated she has political potential, standing 90 minutes fielding questions.

    Excelent job two stepping and not giving even one direct answer to anyones questions.

    Is this what we have waited for, for so long?

    Dr Marks would be a better candidate to replace Friedlander in Pupil Services but does she have what we need in a superintendent?

    Keep in mind the superintendent is the one that has to go up against BET and the council to fight, yeah fight.

    The superintendent also has an enormus challenge in uniting our community not just securing resources but also in effective rapid deployment of reform measures to get this ship outta drydock.

    We were asked, fairly, by the board to go in with an open mind.

    If this is the best we can do, this is sad, people.

    Even the Mayor ducked on this, no one ever said he was not politically astute.

    Thought the lady was going to cry when Moccia booked.

    She seemed disappointed in the turnout also.

    One observation, if she wants to work here, ya think she would've done her homework on Norwalk.

    There is no way, no how, this lady can handle this challenge.

    She doesnt have a clue what she is facing.

    Want, so very much, to support the board, actually aching for the opportunity.

    Its just not there to support.

    Board gets no confidence vote.

    PLEASE boe members, we know you have put the time in and tried and that is recognised and appreciated, greatly but this is NOT the ideal candiddate for Norwalk chief education leader.

    It is noted that at least the board is eager for community input, this is an improvement of no small statue.

    Kinda get the feeling that every single one of the board members have never, ever done an interview before, and we know, some have.

    Shame that experince isnt shared.
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  48. I second the no confidence vote.
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  49. Oh common folks, give it a break...do you want change or not? You get stuck on politics, let's see what she has to do for us. Anything is better than what we have now! Seriously! Go Dr. Marks!!!
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