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New District 4 superintendent D'Andrea is at center of discussion
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PENDLETON — Teachers and parents wanting to speak at an Anderson County School District 4 meeting Tuesday were disappointed to find out they needed to fill out comment forms ahead of time.
Several of the nearly 100 parents and teachers at the meeting said they did not get the chance to voice their opposition to incoming Superintendent Lee D’Andrea, the current superintendent in Pickens County School District.
Parents and teachers said they were not properly notified about how to get the chance to speak at the meeting and there were no forms available at the time of the meeting.
Pendleton resident Quintella Burgess said, in a letter read at the meeting, that it is her understanding that the board did not interview a pool of finalists. Burgess also said that D’Andrea was contacted by board members and encouraged to apply, instead of putting her name into the applicant pool of her own accord.
A statement from Board Vice-Chairman Marty Williams, also read at the meeting, acknowledges that D’Andrea was contacted by the board, instead of the other way around.
The board unanimously approved hiring D’Andrea at an Oct. 23 meeting; she will begin her term on July 1.
“The board regrets that some people in the community believe that the public input was ignored and that the search process was flawed; quite the opposite, the input was the most important part of the process and made the board’s task easier to accomplish,” said Williams, in his written statement.
Burgess has organized the District 4 Citizens Advocacy Team in part to find out why the verbally outlined process of getting nationwide applicants and selecting from an applicant pool was violated. The next advocacy team meeting will be at 5 p.m. Monday at the Pendleton Public Library.
D’Andrea previously worked for District 4 as an assistant superintendent for three years, but has worked at Pickens County for the past two years, Williams said.
The cost of a nationwide search, only to end up with a local candidate, is something Burgess said she was concerned about. Williams said the search cost between $20,000 and $25,000.
“That’s very comparable to executive searches in South Carolina and the nation,” he said.
No teacher or parent would comment on the record for the Independent-Mail but, following the meeting, some teachers and parents voiced their concerns to Williams.
A teacher, who did not wish to be identified, said faculty and staff in Pickens County were happy when D’Andrea’s departure was announced.
“It’s a huge step down in hiring her,” the same teacher said.
Williams disagreed, and said that Pickens County administrators told him D’Andrea was the best superintendent they ever had.
Williams said he is simply asking parents to give D’Andrea at least a year before rushing to judgment.
“But I can require members of our school to give her a chance,” he said.
One parent, who also didn’t wish to be identified, said she is doubtful but would be the first to congratulate D’Andrea a year from now, if D’Andrea has been successful.
“I grew up in the district and I always support it,” the parent said, adding that her trust in the board had been damaged.
“D’Andrea is a proven leader and the board and I have full confidence in her,” Williams said.
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Yet another example of why we need ONE school district per county.
Current system costs too much money, but more importantly consists of weak school board members and superintendents, who then hire weak people.
I am saddened that the former superintendent has chosen to back an effort to undermine those who have a current and vested interest in the success of the district. Efforts and energy could be better directed at assisting children. Since he "resigned" he has been a changed man.
I am a student of PHS who was interviewed about the incoming Superintendent prior to D'Andre's selection. I feel my opinion was overlooked and voided because the board made the decision from a selection not even wanting the position. I will embrace a New Superintendent for my last remaining year in District 4, but I will stand for a let down for my followers in years to come. I had a say in this from the start and I will have a say until something CORRECT is done!
the board decision is typical of the shady deals in dist 4 as far as the former super is concerned he should know the board the best he knows how they are..... oh yeah i loved Mr Williams statement "But I can require members of our school to give her a chance,” he said." now is that any way to treat employees?? but those of us who work there are used to the board threats nothing new there The common attitude from the dist office down to ALL the principals in the district is How dare anyone question us for the most part leadership in dist 4 is a joke. WAKE UP PEOPLE serious changes need to be made on the board hopefully the 2 new members will be more open, honest and not as likely to threaten people as much as what is there now. but wait isn't 1 of the new members the new supers brother in law?? oh well so much for change
Well I am here to support Dr. D'Andrea. We are lucky to get her back! It is time people in Pendleton get over themselves and look at the problems in our schools. I am hopeful Dr. D'Andrea will make some changes towards making District 4 a true World Class District, and not settle for less as the previous administration did. Give her a chance! She surely can't be worse than Dr. Burgess.
Those employed in Anderson Four need to understand that they don't always decide what happens in that district. It seems that they've been used to getting their way and cannot understand that a district office or a Board of Trustees has the authority to make certain decisions. It is very transparent who is feeding this frenzy (and also the employees that are backing the effort). It just isn't very professional of the professionals. Get over it and quit giving your district bad press and a bad name. Channel that energy to see how you can work with your new superintendent. Are you trying to scare her off? I don't think you will. SHE is a professional, like her or not. This is all linked to the resignation and I smell sour grapes. It makes me believe even more that it wasn't simply a resignation.
in response to abcd1234
Get our way????? You must be kidding. For years we havwe been lied to, yelled at, bullied and threatened. It's not who they chose but how they did it! Secretly
with property in Pickens County, I say, "Watch out for your taxes"!!!!!!!!!!!!
how does 1/2 BILLION dollar bond issue sound????
Yes, that was with a "B".
Her record speaks for itself.
My property taxes doubled.
in response to currenteemployee
Yes, it seems much like a spoiled child that if a certain segment in anderson four doesn't get their way, then there will be implied trouble. The advocacy group...do you really think they'll advocate for all? And as for the bullying and yelling. Didn't the person perpetrating most of that "resign"? Much like our presidential election, about 1/2 are happy and a little fewer than 1/2 are not so happy, but it is time to understand that a choice has been made and work TOGETHER so that the students benefit. Too many adult groups want to "win" for themselves.
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