3 finalists vie for Middletown superintendent post

Community invited to meet the candidates at a forum set for Jan. 7.

file photo Robert D. Sommers is one of three finalists to become the next Middletown superintendent.

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By Kevin Aldridge, Staff Writer Updated 12:06 AM Thursday, December 17, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Three finalists are vying to be the next Middletown City Schools superintendent. They are:

• Lloyd D. Martin, superintendent of Mansfield City Schools.

• Greg Rasmussen, assistant superintendent of Wichita Public Schools in Wichita, Kan.

• Robert D. Sommers, CEO of Butler Technology Career and Development Schools.

The Middletown Board of Education released their names Wednesday, Dec. 16.

The finalists were selected from a pool of more than 60 “well-qualified” applicants, board members said Wednesday in a letter to the Journal. Carney, Sandoe & Associates, a Boston-based consulting firm hired by the district, conducted the nationwide search and performed an initial screening of all applicants.

District officials will host a “Meet the Candidates” night starting at 5 p.m. Jan. 7 at Middletown High School, according to district spokeswoman Debbie Alberico.

Each candidate is expected to give a 10- to 15-minute autobiography and answer three questions posed by a facilitator. The audience will have a chance to rate the candidates through a process set up by the district’s consultant, school officials said.

“The board is very encouraged by the strength that each of these candidates brings, and we look forward to the continuation of this process to ultimately hire the next superintendent of Middletown City Schools,” the board stated in its letter.

The district had spent $25,360 on the superintendent search as of Monday, according to Lisa Fahncke, district treasurer.

Board members interviewed seven candidates for the vacancy on Dec. 11 and Dec. 12. Board President Greg Tyus said the district isn’t releasing names of the four candidates who didn’t make the final cut.

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before the citizens of Middletown vote for their new superintendent, I highly suggest they come to Mansfield and speak with its teachers. Do not talk with ANY officials or school board members.
Talk to the teachers. Listen to what they have to say. After hearing their comments, then you can decide if you want the same to happen to your city. Also, I would suggest that one primary stipulation pressed upon Dr Martin (if elected) is that he is not allowed to hire in his own people.
caveat Emptor

mansfield citizen
1:28 PM, 1/4/2010

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WARNING WARNING Mansfield News Journal calls school year "BIZZARE"

I implore everyone to read this story

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com...

Will Robinson
2:09 PM, 12/30/2009

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The people in Mansfield are just upset because Dr. Martin had to make the tough decisions. The previous super left us in such a terrible financial mess, he had no choice but to riff a few positions and close a few schools. It was what HAD to be done, nobody else had the guts. Dr. Martin knows what needs to be done to bring a school district back to life, as evidenced by rising test scores despite the unfortunate but necessary reduction in force. Mansfield would be losing a great leader.

loyalteacher
12:19 AM, 12/30/2009

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Wow...not looking good, these are the best 3 you could come up with?! We're screwed!

karma
8:44 PM, 12/18/2009

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HERE'S A LITTLE INFO ON THE WICHITA FINALIST :

The Wichita Eagle

Wichita school official named finalist for Ohio district post
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BY LORI YOUNT

COPY AND PASTE :

Read more: http://www.kansas.com/topstories/st...#ixzz0a4FBPuFy

Middie Parent
1:55 PM, 12/18/2009

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