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Defenders of Hillsborough schools chief speak out on her behalf

 
Hillsborough schools chief MaryEllen Elia, now in her 10th year on the job, has laughed off suggestions that she might leave.
Hillsborough schools chief MaryEllen Elia, now in her 10th year on the job, has laughed off suggestions that she might leave.
Published Dec. 10, 2014

TAMPA — No one has officially called for a new superintendent for the Hillsborough County Schools. But at Tuesday's School Board meeting there were signs of a campaign to keep her on the job or, absent that, prepare for succession.

Elizabeth Fowler and Sheff Crowder, both active in nonprofit and philanthropic circles, spoke of MaryEllen Elia's contributions to the school district and her record of working with the community.

"I've been thrilled with MaryEllen's leadership and the progress she and her staff have made in bringing the funders, non-profits and school district together to benefit all of our children in Hillsborough County," said Fowler, director of her family's Triad Foundation. "MaryEllen Elia has been a tremendous force for good in our community."

Crowder, president of the Conn Memorial Foundation, acknowledged Elia might be near the end of her tenure. "What I'm hearing publicly and privately, is … we're kind of at a crossroads," he said. "I want to encourage us to rally behind the superintendent, and to come together as a community to get to the next step."

Elia, now in her 10th year on the job, has laughed off suggestions that she might leave, saying any such speculation was created by the media.

But the November election results gave her a board that is not entirely in her corner. April Griffin, a frequent opponent of Elia, handily defeated Dipa Shah, whose campaign sign was on Elia's front lawn. Michelle Shimberg, widely considered an Elia supporter, lost to Sally Harris.

Political activist Alpheria Wright referred to the vote counts in his remarks Tuesday. "I'm sorry, Mrs. MaryEllen, but as a taxpayer, the voters have spoken," he said.

Meeting in Tampa last week, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents named Elia Superintendent of the Year. "It couldn't happen to a better person," board member Carol Kurdell said Tuesday.

Elia's accomplishments include winning a $100 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to revamp the district's teacher evaluation system. Empowering Effective Teachers gave the district national acclaim and freed Hillsborough from some of the accountability measures later imposed by the state.

But even EET came under attack as Madison Middle School teacher Noel Patti spoke out about the unsatisfactory ratings that will likely end her career.

State law gives the board no option but to uphold a teacher's termination after two unsatisfactory evaluations and there is no appeals process. That was the case even before Gates, said Marie Whelan, the administrator in charge of EET.

Still, some board members are frustrated at the position they find themselves in at the hearing. "I'm about to blow a gasket," said Griffin, who has asked repeatedly for a workshop on the issue.

Susan Valdes, the board's chairwoman, assured Griffin she will schedule the workshop soon.

In other developments, the board approved two charter schools: Excelsior Prep Charter, a K-5 school that will teach Spanish; and Tampa Academy of Math and Science, serving K-8.

The board also appointed these principals: Jonathan Barlar, Thonotosassa Elementary; Kelly Wisneski, Clark Elementary; and Kenneth Hart, Alonso High School.