Madak Heads Applications for Superintendent Position!

[Jim O'Bryan]

Read it here first!

Lakewood City Schools
Applications for Superintendent Position
February, 2009

Michael W. Beck
Assistant Superintendent, Groveport Madison Local Schools

Luis Gonzalez
Superintendent, Mathis Independent School District, Mathis,
Texas

William Robert Harbon
Superintendent, Northern Ozaukee School District,
Fredonia, Wisconsin

James J. Herrholtz
Superintendent, Richmond Heights Local Schools

Joseph J. Iacono
Superintendent, Crestwood Local Schools

P. Joseph Madak
Instructor, University of Dayton; former Superintendent,
Lakewood City Schools

Camiele Papagianis
Director, Greater Heights Academy, Cleveland Municipal
School Districts

Deborah A. Piotrowski
Superintendent, Millcreek West Unity Local Schools

Jerry P. Skiver
retired, Superintendent New Boston Local Schools

Larry D. Smith
Leadership Development Manager, Crown Equipment Corp.;
Superintendent New Bremen Local Schools (2000-2006).

Arthur W. Stellar
Superintendent, Taunton Public Schools, Taunton,
Massachusetts

Jeanne A. Sternad.
Superintendent, Garfield Heights City Schools

Richard J. Varrati
Superintendent, New Philadelphia City Schools

Clifford T. Wallace
Dean of Instruction, Bryant & Stratton College

Willie C. Watts
College Access Liaison, Akron Public Schools

Vickie A. Wheatley
High School Principal, Wickliffe City School District

[Danielle Masters]

Hmm the man who was here in the beginning of the rebuilding possibly coming back while the rebuilding is finishing up. Interesting.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Hmm the man who was here in the beginning of the rebuilding possibly coming back while the rebuilding is finishing up. Interesting.

Danielle

I can not speak to all of your concerns, but I for one was glad to see Madak's name pop up. I had heard that he might be interested, and he was a darn good Superintendent. Could be possible, that he regrets retiring, and wants to return to Lakewood.

Compare that to Dr. Estrop who publicly stated a year ago that "He has no future in Lakewood..."

Time will tell, who gets what, but Madak is a proven entity that had served the schools very well for over a decade.


.

[Danielle Masters]

You misunderstood, no concerns at all, in fact I think having Dr. Madak back to finish up this process could be a good thing, he knows the district well. I was very pleased with the job he did when he was superintendent. Sorry I should have been more clear. That is an oops on my part.

[Lynn Farris]

Okay, I m going to make a controversial comment, I no longer have children in the Lakewood Schools, but if I did, I wouldn't want Madak. Back when he was here before I was stunned to hear him state that he thought too many of Lakewood Students went to college. Too Many!!!! I was thinking not enough and too many drop outs. Let's not worry that we are doing too well. I must admit that I almost fell out of my chair and other mothers that night felt the same way that I did, when I talked to them.

Last night President Obama said

we know the countries that out-teach us today will out-compete us tomorrow

It is our responsibility as lawmakers and educators to make this system work. But it is the responsibility of every citizen to participate in it. And so tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma. And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It's not just quitting on yourself, it's quitting on your country - and this country needs and values the talents of every American. That is why we will provide the support necessary for you to complete college and meet a new goal: by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.

I would have felt much more positive if then superintendent Madak had looked at the drop out rate and said - we need to work to make sure every Lakewood student graduates from HS. If he would have looked at the students that started college and dropped out and said - we need to make sure that we give the students who want to go to college the appropriate education so that they will be successful.

We can not compete on the basis of costs with third world countries. The only way Americans can compete is on the basis of education.

If my children were in the schools, I would want a Superintendent who said, I will work to minimize drop outs and I will work hard to make sure that every student has the background he or she needs to be successful. If they choose to go to college, they should have the skills to do so.

[Lynn Farris]

While I'm at it I'm curious as to why there are no applicants from within our own school systems.

I'll admit I haven't been as vigilant at paying attention to the schools since my children graduated, but when they were there - we had some great people on Warren Ave. who were qualified and should have been the first to be considered.

Were they discouraged from applying or are there simply no qualified people in Lakewood?

[Dee Martinez]

Hi, Danielle.
Now that youve had a couple of days to look over the list, have you found anything out about any of the other candidates?
Did any of them impress you?
The GH super seems like a pretty capable person.

[Jim O'Bryan]

The GH super seems like a pretty capable person.

I would say that is the understatement.

Jeanne A. Sternad is another good stand out.

While I have not heard the comments first hand that Lynn has
commented on, I had always found Madak to be pretty good
at reaching out to the community. While being more worried
about the actual schools that his public persona.

.

[Danielle Masters]

Hi Dee, I was going to respond to your question but wow I guess it doesn't matter now, it seems that just a few days after the list was released a new super has been picked.