Escondido community voices opinions on superintendent search

By: PAUL EAKINS - Staff Writer | Wednesday, March 1, 2006 10:29 PM PST ∞

ESCONDIDO ---- What qualities should the next superintendent of the Escondido Union School District have?

Many community members and district employees seem to agree on an answer ---- the same qualities as those possessed by Superintendent Mike Caston, according to representatives of the firm conducting the search for a new school district chief.

Rene Townsend and Bob Trigg, partners with Mission Viejo-based Leadership Associates, spent a full day Wednesday interviewing about 75 district employees, community leaders, parents and other community members.

Townsend learned that they want a superintendent who is positive, who creates stability and unity, who is a good communicator, and who focuses on the needs of the 18,700 students in the elementary school district, she said.

Basically, all of the qualities and characteristics associated with Caston, she said.

"I think that there's been such a marked, positive improvement since Mike (Caston) has been here, and people want it to continue," Townsend said.

The new superintendent would begin July 1, replacing Caston, who plans to retire at the end of June.

Leadership Associates and the school board will use the information gathered Wednesday to help guide them in their search for the new superintendent. Finalists for the position are expected to be interviewed by late April, with a candidate chosen soon after that.

Caston has been superintendent of the district since May 2001, when he replaced Nicolas Retana, who was fired a year earlier after trustees lost confidence in his leadership amid sexual harassment charges and other legal conflicts. Caston was seen as a unifying figure who helped get the district back on track.

Townsend said those interviewed want to see this sense of teamwork continue in the district after Caston leaves. The prospect of change has created "a little edginess" among employees, because they don't want to see the district return to the state of turmoil it was in before, she said.

Many of the desired qualities mentioned Wednesday were similar to what the school board says it wants, Townsend said.

Trustees have said they would like the new superintendent to have experience in the California school system; an understanding of school financing; experience as a superintendent or assistant superintendent; and honesty, integrity, and good communications skills, among other qualities.

Trustees and many of those who gave their opinions Wednesday said the new superintendent should have an understanding of cultural diversity, and that it would be good, though not necessary, if that person spoke Spanish, Townsend said. The district is about 60 percent Latino and almost half of the students don't speak English as their first language.

During a public forum Wednesday evening, one of only two people who showed up said raising English learners' standardized test scores should be a top priority for the new superintendent.

"I'm not happy with the administration we have in addressing these problems," Jose Fragozo said.

Although members of the press weren't allowed to attend any sessions other than the public forum, community leaders who had spoken with Leadership Associates during the day gave their thoughts on the matter when contacted by phone Wednesday evening.

Police Chief Duane White said he would like the district to hire a superintendent who, like Caston, works well with the city in such things as building new schools, which create environmental, traffic and parking issues. Caston oversaw the construction of four new campuses during his five years with the district.

Kurt Marler, a trustee with Escondido's high school district, also said he wants the new chief to work well with other entities.

Marler said he wants the new superintendent to "be a good communicator not only with parents but also between districts," and to be dedicated to creating a "seamless" curriculum that will ensure students are prepared when they enter high school.

Contact staff writer Paul Eakins at (760) 740-5420 or peakins@nctimes.com.