The second superintendent finalist, Terri Breeden, chatted with FCPS staff and families at a reception Thursday evening at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School after touring a few areas of town. “The facilities are amazing, the people are warm, and I can see there’s great community commitment to our schools,” she said. “I’m ready to be a superintendent, and this would be a dream job.” Breeden, who was assistant superintendent of Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia this past school year, is also a finalist for the top position in Charleston, S.C.
Autumn Hines, a rising freshman at Lafayette High School, was among the student ambassadors at the reception. She prefers a superintendent who is approachable, saying, “He or she should be able to relate to everyone so if a problem comes up, they can see it from their point of view, and that might be more effective when it comes to problem-solving.”
When asked how she would tackle the persistent achievement gaps in Fayette County schools, Breeden suggested a rigorous curriculum and high expectations backed by teachers’ care and support. “While we need to close gaps, we also need to accelerate learning at the same time,” she said. “The work is hard, and the work is always ongoing.”
The other announced finalist for the FCPS job is Emmanuel “Manny” Caulk, a superintendent in Portland, Maine, who met with stakeholders and board members on Tuesday and Wednesday.
People may send feedback to the school board via www.fcps.net/letstalk.
Fayette County Public Schools is hiring a superintendent to replace Tom Shelton, who resigned in late 2014. Marlene Helm has served as acting superintendent in the interim.