District consultant 'disses' Superintendent Smith

You can read about it (and Smith's response) over at PPS Equity, but here's some background and the actual dismissive language used by Magellan Group consultant Bill DeJong.

For some time the Portland School District has been paying for the advice of high-flying "experts" on what to do about Portland's poorly maintained and crumbling educational infrastructure.  In DeJong's case, it's about developing a battle plan for ensuring passage of a potential $2 billion levy to pay for reconstructing several Portland schools. 

Willamette Week got hold of a DeJong e-mail to a colleague after a board work session held on March 3.  Here's the part about Smith and other district administration staff in charge of developing a plan for the city's high schools:

"There were also some High School meetings during the day. ... The superintendent has developed a leadership team to address this issue. I had the opportunity to meet with the two leaders of this group. I was underwhelmed. Based on what I saw, 'they would have a hard time making their way out of a wet paper bag.' ... It is clear from the board's perspective that they want the high schools addressed, they want direction and they want it now. I thought the superintendent sort of fumbled her way through the discussion."

It's clear from that e-mail that DeJong and Magellan are intent on influencing district educational policy.  I don't think that's the sort of advice  Magellan was hired to provide.  At least I hope not. 

Smith (and the board) should pay Magellan for services rendered, wish the company well, and send it on its way. 

Let locals --and folks who know something about educating children-- decide how programs should be structured and which schools, if any, should be closed.

Comments

[Anne]

The bill is not small for Magellan and DeJong. It is nearly a million dollars at last count.

don't stop with Magellan. Mincberg should go bye bye too.

[Waiting for the lightbulb to illuminate]

Magellan, DeJong, Mincberg AND Leslie Rennie-Hill formerly of the Portland Schools Foundation ALL need to go. These folks were all hired under Superintendent Phillips. PPS can't move forward and thrive until Superintendent Smith cleans house of the toxic crud left behind by Vicki Phillips.

[trueblue]

You guys are singing my song. There needs to be a serious housecleaning at PPS. Mincberg needs to go. That's why I have never found Super Smith's Portland roots and solid resume compelling. As Phillip's chief-of-staff, she is the last person who would come in and destroy her ex-boss's legacy by cleaning house as so badly needs to be done. Toxic crud is right. Phillips and her legacy are an ill wind. We need some fresh air.

[Jodah]

Gotta say, though, after having seen that meeting, that it seemed like the whole board was less than overwhelmed with the plans for the high school review.

[Rise UpAustin]

Dejong & Magellan are in Austin, Texas right now and they just stuck their foot in a Texas sized hill of red ant angry community members!