Superintendent Candidates

I'm feeling a little foolish this evening. The forum for the public to meet the finalist candidates for Kansas City Missouri School District Superintendent was held this evening at Paseo Academy. I don't know what I was expecting, but it was not that the public would have fewer than twenty-four hours to scrutinize these candidates. Yet, that seems to be the case. The final selection will be made tomorrow.

I heard each finalist speak for less than five minutes each, not enough time to make a firm decision. My biggest impression is that Dr. Covington is a better listener than Dr. Guinn. Don't take that as gospel.

For what it's worth, here are the two finalist:

Dr. John Covington

• Three years as Superintendent of the Pueblo, Colorado City Schools
• Six years as Superintendent of the Lowndes County, Alabama Schools
• Held two administrative posts in the Montgomery, Alabama Public School District
• Improved student achievement in both districts where he served as superintendent
• Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Auburn University
• Master's and bachelor's degrees from Alabama State University

Dr. Mary Guinn

• Is in her fifth year as a deputy superintenden in the Tulsa, Oklahoma Public Schools
• Six years as superintendent of the Gary, Indiana Public Schools
• Worked as associate superintendcent of the Monroe, Louisiana City Schools
• Serverd as a school principal and a special assistant to the superintendent in the Little Rock, Arkansas Public Schools
• Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock
• Master's degree from the University of Central Arkansas
• Bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock