Editor's view: Will school system still blossom with Deasy gone? By DAVID EMANUEL Editor
Well, the Prince George's County Public School System has lost another chief.
But this time, it's not good riddance.
Superintendent of Schools John Deasy was one of the few superintendents over the past decade to truly do his best to improve the system, and we actually saw some results.
He wasn't marred with any type of controversy - well, somewhat, at the end, as again some eyebrows were raised at the fact that he might not have been a doctor after all.
According to reports, his doctorate degree wasn't necessarily legitimate.
But let's get back to the positive on this guy.
According to one press release, during Deasy's short tenure with the school system (Maryland's second largest school system and the second worst performing), was a positive one.
And his new job? In February 2009, he will become the deputy director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
You know the Gates.
I think combined, they make about a gazillion dollars weekly. Looks like Deasy sure doesn't have to worry about the financial crisis we're all facing.
Now, it looks like we're going to face another school crisis.
Who's going to take over now? (Dr. William Hite will serve as interim superintendent.)
Deasy is the county's fifth superintendent in almost 10 years.
He followed the now infamous Andre Hornsby, who resigned after being convicted in federal court for wire fraud, evidence tampering and obstruction of justice.
He could serve at least 20 years in prison. (I just like saying that sometimes. It's incredible. A former schools chief behind bars. And it really could happen.)
Anyway, back to pushing Deasy.
School board chairman Verjeana Jacobs said it is bittersweet to lose an effective superintendent, but the system is grateful for the passion and energy he brought to making improvements in teaching and learning for all students regardless of their backgrounds or where they live.
Very true.
She added that the school system is poised to serve as a national model for improvement in large urban systems.
We hope so. (But there's still that next-to-the-bottom of the list in terms of performance thing to contend with.)
As a proud graduate of this school system, I still say there are many times over the past few years I've had to shake my head vigorously side to side in disgust. But Deasy made me nod my head up and down with pride.
Think about the challenge involved.
This is not only the state's second largest school district but the nation's 18th largest district. There's more than 130,000 children in this system, with 145 countries and 154 languages represented.
"John put a strong plan in place and gained the trust of teachers, parents and the community, producing real results for all students," said Vicki L. Phillips, director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's education division. "Today, when nearly half of African American and Hispanic students fail to graduate high school, we're eager to take what he has learned and accomplished in Prince George's County and continue to help students all across the country prepare for college."
Deasy instituted several successful "Children Come First" initiatives in the county, and in 2008, the system saw some of the largest achievement gains across all grade levels and all major race and ethnic groups.
And Deasy himself said he feels the system is in incredibly good shape.
I think, and hope, he's right.
We just don't want to go all the way back to square one.
