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Hernando Today

Superintendent Withdraws Resignation

Alexander

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By TONY MARRERO

Hernando Today

Published: February 10, 2009

Updated: 02/11/2009 04:54 pm

BROOKSVILLE - Hernando County Schools Superintendent Wayne Alexander is staying after all.

Alexander withdrew his recently tendered resignation Tuesday during a special school board meeting called to consider whether to let him out of his contract and, if so, how to go about finding a replacement.

"I will be completing my contractual agreement," Alexander told the board at the start of the meeting. "I need to honor that commitment."

Alexander called his decision to resign "an emotional response to family needs that have been building for months."

Alexander announced at last week's school board meeting he wanted to resign effective July 1 so he could move to New England to be with his new wife Jennifer and two stepchildren, who still live in Connecticut. Alexander wanted to move them to Hernando County, but the family is embroiled in a visitation dispute with Jennifer's ex-husband. He began looking for jobs in New England.

Alexander told the board Tuesday that the couple wrestled with the decision over the weekend and came to the conclusion he needs to honor his full three-year contract, which ends in June 2010. He said he was grateful for his wife's support.

"I apologize for causing this distraction to our educational focus," Alexander told the board. "I started a lot of things, and I think I should see those things through."

The board was unanimous in its acceptance of Alexander's about face, clearly relieved they wouldn't have to rush through a search for his replacement in the midst of mounting budget woes. Their approval, however, wasn't without some stern admonitions about his continued commitment and leadership style.

Board member Pat Fagan warned Alexander that his change of heart means he'll be here for another 18 months.

"I want your commitment that if you continue with the Hernando County School system, you'll be committed to this organization," Fagan said. "We can't go on thinking that you will resign your post six months from now because you found a job up north."

Board member James Yant said some teachers and staffers feel "intimidated" and "afraid" under Alexander because of personnel changes he made during his first year and his often brusque style.

"You can have a team where all the players are frightened of the coach, or you can have a team where all the players love to play for the coach," Yant said. "The players on the team need to respect the coach, and I'm not sure whether that's the case."

Fagan agreed, urging Alexander to get "buy-in" from district employees.

"We have to do everything we can to convince those individuals who feel so negatively about this organization that it's worth saving," he said.

Board member John Sweeney said he supported Alexander but acknowledged he should try to be a bit gentler.

"It's not what you say, it's how you say it," Sweeney said. "I've seen you work on that as you've been here, and I expect you to continue working on that aspect of your leadership style."

Board Chairwoman Dianne Bonfield said she suspects the personnel and other changes will come out as a benefit to the district.

Board member Sandra Nicholson came out as Alexander's staunchest supporter. Nicholson said he'd gone "above and beyond" what the board expected upon his hiring and that she'd rather have a superintendent who got things done than one who was well-liked but "worthless."

"Did he make people upset? Absolutely," Nicholson said. "Could he have come in and been Mr. Nice Guy? I don't think he has the mindset to be that kind of person to sit back and watch things run not as efficiently as they should."

The board agreed to schedule a workshop in the coming weeks to discuss what was on Tuesday's agenda: The advertisement for the position, the requirements and the salary range.

The board also agreed to discuss the possibility of an assistant superintendent position when budget talks begin Feb. 17.

After the meeting, Alexander told reporters he flew to Connecticut over the weekend to talk over the issue with his wife.

"Some things you can't do by phone, and this was one of them," he said.

Alexander said the family will continue efforts to convince the courts to allow his wife and stepchildren to move to Florida.

He stood behind the personnel changes that angered some teachers and administrators. He contends he is "batting at least 95 percent if not 100 percent" in making the right decisions on that front. He said he has received positive feedback from many of those who were reassigned.

"They say, 'You know what, Wayne, you were right,'" he said. "I think you'll see the results in the kids performance."

As for those teachers and staffers who feel anxious, he said: "If you're doing your job, and you're doing the best for kids, any anxiety should be reduced."

Joe Vitalo, president of the Hernando Classroom Teachers Association, said the reaction from his membership will likely be "a mixed bag."

Ultimately, though, Vitalo said Alexander's staying on will likely mean more stability for the district because it's one less abrupt personnel change at the place it is felt the most: the top. The district is already in the midst of a search for a new chief financial officer.

"It was just too much," he said.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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