Post by title1parent on Feb 11, 2009 5:59:30 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=271175&src=76
Dist. 203 set to announce fate of new superintendent
By Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald 2/11/2009
Naperville Unit District 203 board members refused to publicly discuss controversy over their pick for superintendent Tuesday night after meeting in closed session for just over three hours.
Board member Mike Jaensch said they will release a statement today as to Mark Mitrovich's future with the district.
"We're coordinating with Mark Mitrovich and just want to make sure we get the message straight so there's no confusion," Jaensch said.
Mitrovich was at the meeting Tuesday, as was the district's attorney and representatives of search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates. Mitrovich also declined to comment.
The board unanimously hired the Seattle-area educator last week after a nationwide search to replace retiring Superintendent Alan Leis. It did not introduce him to the community until it hired him. Within days, critics in the community pointed out Mitrovich's doctorate does not come from an accredited university.
Mitrovich has since sent board members his 100-plus page dissertation on the impact of principals on infusing technology into schools so they could review his work.
Mitrovich, 63, serves as chief education officer for EdGate, a company he co-founded near Seattle. He spent 30 years in education including a stint as superintendent of Peninsula School District in Gig Harbor, Wash.
In 1993, he earned a doctorate in education administration from the University of Santa Barbara. The school was approved by the California Department of Education and its private postsecondary bureau as a degree-granting institution but never received national accreditation before closing its doors in 2006.
Board members did not learn about the university's lack of accreditation until the day after they hired him.
Mitrovich has said he chose the university because of the reputation of its instructors and feels he completed a rigorous program. He was also told at the time the school was working on gaining accreditation. Its lack thereof, he says, has never come up as an issue when he was hired for other jobs.
For teachers in District 203, advanced degrees must come from an accredited university in order to count toward salary increases.
Mitrovich also has superintendent's credentials from Washington State University, a master's in education from Eastern Washington University and a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Washington.
The contract the board tentatively approved with Mitrovich last week is a three-year deal with a starting salary of $203,000. While Mitrovich has signed the contract, it is not clear whether board President Suzyn Price has done so.
Dist. 203 set to announce fate of new superintendent
By Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald 2/11/2009
Naperville Unit District 203 board members refused to publicly discuss controversy over their pick for superintendent Tuesday night after meeting in closed session for just over three hours.
Board member Mike Jaensch said they will release a statement today as to Mark Mitrovich's future with the district.
"We're coordinating with Mark Mitrovich and just want to make sure we get the message straight so there's no confusion," Jaensch said.
Mitrovich was at the meeting Tuesday, as was the district's attorney and representatives of search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates. Mitrovich also declined to comment.
The board unanimously hired the Seattle-area educator last week after a nationwide search to replace retiring Superintendent Alan Leis. It did not introduce him to the community until it hired him. Within days, critics in the community pointed out Mitrovich's doctorate does not come from an accredited university.
Mitrovich has since sent board members his 100-plus page dissertation on the impact of principals on infusing technology into schools so they could review his work.
Mitrovich, 63, serves as chief education officer for EdGate, a company he co-founded near Seattle. He spent 30 years in education including a stint as superintendent of Peninsula School District in Gig Harbor, Wash.
In 1993, he earned a doctorate in education administration from the University of Santa Barbara. The school was approved by the California Department of Education and its private postsecondary bureau as a degree-granting institution but never received national accreditation before closing its doors in 2006.
Board members did not learn about the university's lack of accreditation until the day after they hired him.
Mitrovich has said he chose the university because of the reputation of its instructors and feels he completed a rigorous program. He was also told at the time the school was working on gaining accreditation. Its lack thereof, he says, has never come up as an issue when he was hired for other jobs.
For teachers in District 203, advanced degrees must come from an accredited university in order to count toward salary increases.
Mitrovich also has superintendent's credentials from Washington State University, a master's in education from Eastern Washington University and a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Washington.
The contract the board tentatively approved with Mitrovich last week is a three-year deal with a starting salary of $203,000. While Mitrovich has signed the contract, it is not clear whether board President Suzyn Price has done so.
