By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-969196.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Recruiters heading the search for Florida's next Commissioner of Education say they've identified six candidates for the job. But as Lynn Hatter reports, getting those candidates to submit their names without a guarantee they'll get the job is a challenge.
The recruitment firm Ray and Associates says it's spoken with about a dozen people for the job being vacated by current Commissioner of Education Eric Smith, and it has six candidates interested in the position. But recruiter Bill Adams says the firm is having a hard time getting those candidates to apply.
"Why can't we just go out and get these people to apply? One of the problems is that these are highly successful people who are already employed. They are high-profile people who are already employed."
Adams says those people don't want to jeopardize their current positions by submitting an application only to have their names out in the public eye because of the state's open records law, with no guarantee they'll get the job. Board Chairwoman Kathleen Shanahan says she understands.
"I think it's important to understand the different people you've reached out too. You've talked to superintendents, you've talked to teacher union leadership, you've talked to college presidents "
Adams: "Some members of the legislature, and some business leaders who were identified. Correctly, a number of the college presidents and a number of sitting superintendents as well."
So far, only three people have submitted applications and none of them are recommendations by the recruiters. The Board's vice-chair Roberto Martinez says people who apply without being courted aren't likely to be selected. Fellow member John Padget says what the state is looking for is quality, not quantity.
"I think there were some press articles about the fact that we didn't have any or just a few applicants and I think that the point you've stressed is very important. It's not a question of receiving a pile of paper, but of finding a good leader, and I think you're taking the right approach."
The recruiting firm says it's optimistic the people reluctant to disclose their names will eventually come forward as the deadline to apply nears. Former Board Chairman T. Willard Fair resigned around the same time current Commissioner Smith announced he was leaving. On his way out, Fair said the board would have problems in finding a replacement for Smith, who he said was forced out of the job. Smith says he's leaving to allow Governor Rick Scott to put his stamp on Florida's education system. The last day to apply for the job is May 25th. Smith's last day is June 10th. And the board wants to name a successor by August.