Two finalists for Ann Arbor superintendent job answer questions, meet community at forum

Following each candidate’s time answering questions, forum attendees filled out a feedback form that was to be given to members of the Ann Arbor Board of Education.

Zhaohui Xu and his son Acer, a Community High School student, said they thought both candidates made a good impression. Acer Xu said he came to the forum hoping to hear how the candidates involved students in district operations, something his father was also interested in.

“They both seem very capable; I think they will both be good choices,” Zhaohui Xu said. “I think the difference between them is very, very minor.”

The community forum was the last event in a day where both finalists visited six schools in the district and met with various members of the community.

Green was the first to field questions, which were written on note cards by community members and read out by representatives from Ray & Associates, the search firm hired to assist in the search. Questions ranged from what each candidate thought made an exemplary school to student involvement in district affairs.

When asked about how she viewed leadership, Green said she approached each situation as if she were looking through a kaleidoscope. Each new perspective — or turn of the kaleidoscope — can make a certain situation look different, so it’s important to get all those perspectives, she said.

“We understand that it’s not static, it does not look the same every single way,” she said of decision-making. “Sometimes you have to make tough decisions, but you can’t make decisions in isolation. You need to have a team around you to make the kind of decisions that a school district of an excellent nature would need to make to be a role model to others.”

Green began serving as superintendent of North Allegheny School District in May 2002 after working as acting deputy superintendent for instruction for the Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland. Green has worked in education for most of her career, serving as a teacher, principal and in a number of administrative positions. NASD has an enrollment of about 8,000 students.

Green holds a bachelor's of science degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in human development education and a doctorate in philosophy in education policy, planning and administration from the University of Maryland.

Munoz said he was extremely pleased to be back in Ann Arbor after his first interview with the Board of Education two weeks ago. He said he was impressed by the turnout among members of the public and he admired the district even more after visiting some of its schools.

When asked about working with a shrinking budget, Munoz said he has plenty of experience working in a district that had to deal with cuts in state funding. He said the Des Moines district had to cut $11 million from its budget in the previous fiscal year and, ultimately, the budget process comes down to prioritizing.

“You have to look at the strategic plan and the district’s goals,” he said. “Funding has to support what you have to accomplish. You have to really look at things you’re doing and try to determine if money invested is getting the results we want to get or is it something we enjoy and like to do, but we’re not getting the bang for our buck.”

Munoz serves as chief academic officer of Des Moines Public Schools and has worked in education for 32 years. Before taking his current job, he worked as regional executive director for the Northeast Region of the district. DMPS has an enrollment of about 32,000 students.

Munoz has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Nebraska, a master’s degree in developmental counseling and an administrative degree from Drake University and a specialist degree from Iowa State University.

Julie Roth, an Ann Arbor Open School parent, said both candidates impressed her but in different ways.

She said Green’s enthusiasm and background at a district demographically similar to Ann Arbor and Munoz' experience in instruction and his solutions to problems such as the achievement gap were what stood out for her.

“My general reaction to the evening was very positive,” she said. “I would not be disappointed with either candidate.”

Shelley Redinger, a superintendent in Oregon, withdrew as a candidate for Ann Arbor superintendent after accepting a similar job in Virginia.

Ann Arbor school board members will meet at Balas Administration Building, 2555 State St., at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday for a final interview with the two candidates, and are expected to make a hiring decision.

 
Kyle Feldscher covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com