Acting Wake County Schools Superintendent Stephen Gainey is learning on the job right now.
As noted in today's article by Thomas Goldsmith, Gainey said he’s still developing first-hand knowledge of some of the system’s issues after having been assistant superintendent for human resources. This includes, he said, getting caught up on the status of the new student assignment plan and on the work being done for the next school construction bond referendum.
“Our role is to make sure that we are making sound requests, with research and support for why we are making that request,” Gainey said in an interview Monday.
Gainey said he wants to work collaboratively with the school board on issues such as funding problems, an in-progress student assignment plan and the system’s accreditation.
“I prefer that the board and I work as a team,” Gainey said. “I will not choose sides on the board.”
Gainey, 42, was approved for a 60-day stint as acting superintendent after Tony Tata’s ouster. Board members from both parties voiced support and respect for him. He had served as a teacher, assistant principal and principal in Wake schools before joining the administration.
“I want the Board of Education to be a successful group,” he said. “We are going to continue to work to promote consensus and we are not going to give up on it. A whole bunch of children depend on that.”
Gainey said he was approached last Tuesday by school board chairman Kevin Hill about being acting superintendent. Gainey said he's so focused on his new job that he's not yet thinking about whether he'd apply for the position on a permanent basis.
If the Democratic board majority decides to reverse the changes that the prior GOP majority made in terms of the qualifications for superintendent, Gainey would be ready. He is certified to be a superintendent, which was one of the prerequisites before the prior board opened it up to non-educators.
Comments
Steve Gainey Supports THE WORST Principal at Knightdale HS
Wed, 10/03/2012 - 00:29 — RandyRockettThe BOE vote for Stephen Gainey was selected by the chair Kevin Hill, independently, without discussion of other alternatives. Hence the 5 - 4 vote where Mrs. Goldman and Mr. Tedesco both commented and clarified that but because he was selected by the chair, independently, without discussion of any other alternatives. It already was a DONE deal.
Steve Gainey is known for his BLIND SUPPORT of Wake principals over our good teachers as seen in his darling Carla Jerigan-Baker who has the HIGHEST teacher turnover rate in the county and possibly the state for that matter. Steve Gainey told the BOE to continue her contract 20 months ago as she was considered by the board for dismissal! Steve Gainey insisted, "Carla is receiving all time low scores on the Governor's state-wide Teacher's survey because she is kicking ass and taking names!"
FAR FROM THE TRUTH!
For example:
Knightdale High School's embattled princi'pal' Carla Jernigan-Baker is breathing a huge sigh of relief as the bright light of truth & local red hot public attention is taken off her ongoing, proven incompetence and re-focused on the BOE Tony Tata political firing.
An unpopular Carla Jernigan-Baker continues to 'lead' the lowest test scores in Wake and some of the lowest in our entire state. Carla Jernigan-Baker owns the higest assistant principal & classroom teacher turn-over rate in our county, schoolwide violence, low teacher moral, - her ongoing changing of grades to increase 'KHS graduation rates' is legendary, her harrasment of hard working teachers etc.
Yes, many graduates receive passing grades after teachers record accurate failing grades. Carla 'Click-Click' Jernigan-Baker routinely sits at her computer and 'Click-Click' changes Knightdale High School students final grades each semester so she will look good.
The skinny is simple, "She's way over her head and should have been ousted two years ago"!
The students, teachers, and the Knightdale families & community DESERVE their ongoing suffering to finally come to a swift conclusion!
Com'on Gainey -- put some LEADERSHIP in Knightdale High School or
What are the terms of Steve Gainey employment in this peculiar position? I also see some very serious conflict issues as Steve Gainey is the Director of Human Resources and now the Acting Superintendent . Will he sign the letters to employees as both? When employees do not agree with his politically driven decisions in human resourses, will then the appeal go back to him as the superintendent, too?
How would Steve Gainey be able to review and act on his own actions in one position versus the other? Considering both are full time jobs, who will be covering the other? Especially as employees are heading out the doors?
Who will be heading up our WCPSS major recruitment effort that we just started for more employees and more bus drivers?
Just wondering
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 12:02 — shank56Who and how many will show up for public comment today? I wonder if Brannon and others will come and speak in support of the majority to show support. And who will appear to blast the majority for their actions?
At the moment
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 14:38 — louiselee44I am planning to speak, but will only be able to do so if Hill extends the allotted comment time. That's okay - they know how I feel, and so does Tata. I will be present at any rate.
Are we sure Kevin will allow comments today?
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 12:33 — FSandYOUSince he has no desire to hear from the public on any issue now.
As for Mr. Gaineeeees, when will we hear from him? The public deserves to know what he has in mind and how soon he plans to send the system back into the hole it had started digging itself out of while Tata was on the job.
Its on the agenda and 6 have
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 12:40 — shank56Its on the agenda and 6 have already signed up to speak on an agenda item and 11 have signed up to speak on items not on the agenda.
What's on the agenda?
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 12:47 — jenmanWhat's on the agenda? Gainey's appointment? I thought they already had him sworn in.
Just saying public comment
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 12:54 — shank56Just saying public comment is on the agenda.
Not sure what people are speaking about--look at link on WCPSS website for public comment signup.
Doesn't mean a thing
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 12:41 — FSandYOURemember, Hill is control.
Or so he thinks.
No sure if Brannon will need
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 12:10 — shearertwNo sure if Brannon will need to show up now that she has confirmation that her emails have gotten through and the BOE is following her every command. The latter group will likely not be large because those people have jobs and families to take care of.
".....with research and
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 09:56 — shearertw".....with research and support for why we are making that request,” Gainey said.
Boy, I can't wait to see what that "research" looks like.
Keung, any word from Mayor MacFarlane or any of the other mayors in the area? The NAACP has, not surprisingly, stabbed Tata in the back now, Mack Paul and Perry Woods "ducked and moved" and said nothing, and now it's time we hear from the rest of the Democratic leadership don't you think?