Alonso finally inks commitment to stay in Baltimore
After nearly a year's wait and several rumored departures, the ink is dry and city schools Andres Alonso has committed to staying in the district under a new, four-year-contract.
If he stays through 2015, Alonso will be the longest serving superintendent since 1946. Baltimore has not had a good track record of retaining leadership in the district, and Alonso is undoubtedly a high-profile leader who could have chosen to go anywhere in the country (Believe me, I checked).
Still, he has much to prove in this next stretch--coming off of a year of declining achievement (if you choose to base such conclusions on one test), and a flurry of cheating scandals that has naturally (even if unfairly) raised doubts.
In a story we have coming Monday, local education advocates and experts weigh in on what's next for the school system under the CEO. Some suggest that he will need to reassess his trademark policies to make sure they're fulfilling their purposes. Other suggest that maybe he jog this next round--as opposed to sprint--to be more effective.
What do you expect to see in the next phase of the CEO's tenure? And more importantly, what do you think will make it a successful one for Baltimore city students?
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
Dr. Alonso needs to begin to examine the leaders of his schools. John Eager Howard's principal was released in October because of unethical practices. Well the unethical behavior continues at this school. The school was assigned a managing principal. This managing principal refused to work along with teachers. A request for in-house suspension was dismissed. So.....the suspension rate went up! Teachers were told not to send disruptive students to the office. So.....a student on a 504 attacked classmates! The managing principal wants to become appointed now......so she created her own selection panel! When rumors began to circulate, North Ave. came and took a vote. However, the same people are on the panel. Now, why when this managing principal did something unethical should she still be allowed to lead John Eager Howard. The selection process has been compromised! All this talk about Integrity, Honesty and Transparency begins at the top! This school needs a transparent leader!
Posted by: When and Where will the Integrity Begin! | July 5, 2011 2:33 PM