Martinez takes Reno supt. job; is Hite new Philly chief?
According to the Reno Gazette-Journal, Pedro Martinez has accepted the superintendent job in Washoe County, Nevada. He was one of two finalists for the Philly superintendent's job.
Martinez takes Reno supt. job; is Hite new Philly chief?
Kristen Graham
Pedro Martinez (left) currently works in Clark County, Nev. William R. Hite Jr. (right) leads a school district in Maryland.
According to the Reno Gazette-Journal, Pedro Martinez has accepted the superintendent job in Washoe County, Nevada. He was one of two finalists for the Philly superintendent's job.
So does that mean that William R. Hite Jr., the other finalist, has the job?
Stay tuned. No word from the School Reform Commission yet. After a brief meeting on other matters today, search committee chair Wendell Pritchett and SRC chairman Pedro Ramos said they were still talking.
District spokesman Fernando Gallard said this afternoon that "our process is still ongoing."
Comments (49)
If this district hopes to get out of the mess they're in in this lifetime, they need to stop looking backward to what they imagine was there. A public high school in the Lehigh Valley once hired an NFL legend as their new football coach. It was abundantly clear to this newcomer that it was an appallingly bad choice, and that was just from reading one newspaper interview. Sure enough, after three games into the season and no points being scored, he mysteriously disappeared for "health reasons" (everyone was sick about the team being worse). The simple fact was that one man, past his prime, not suited for the rigors of HS football coaching, was not going to fix the multiple problems inherent in that setting. Future coaches did solve some problems in the short term, but the long-term problems remained. Don't "bring back" people. It's the current generation's turn to step up and produce in the classroom and the rehearsal hall and the office and the gym. Consult with the old guard? Absolutely. Have them over for a picnic now and then? Sure, if that's what you like. But realize this: the paradigms have changed and will continue to do so. Much of what worked 20 or 30 years ago will probably meet with stiff resistance, if not be rejected outright. Teachers (and for that matter everyone involved in education in Philadelphia), be willing to change everything you know about the profession if you want things to improve.— djdekok- We have a few good home-grown educators with experience, including Connie Clayton, should she agree to return, and Dierdre Fambry.— Devoted Teacher
- of course they'll hire this guy since he meets the primary qualification - he's not white— Zero
- don't worry, Just give him a 2million get out of philly clause in his contract and he will be glad to come here. These guys could care less about the children and more about their employment cotract. The PSD cares even less so the game just keeps going on and the rech keep getting richer and the kids keep getting dumber and dumber. Thanks Philly.— rduexpress
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- It's quite difficult to imagine why there is no local candidate for this position who has a vested interested in improving the system. Carpetbaggers come in with their catch-phrase plans and leave before the job is done.— brio
- Ackerman was a former teacher...— BarryG
- Martinez looks like Nucky Thompson.— jed363
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- Exactly like Queen Arlene, Billy Hite has already made enimies in Maryland. He fired a bunch of people, hired his friends or the politically connected, harassed employees, spent money on himself like crazy, MEANING HE'S A PERFECT FIT FOR PHILADELPHIA !!— warrentheape
- Go ahead, hire Hite. Racial nonsense aside, he seems to be very comfortable with corruption, abuse of power and shady backroom dealings. These are the perfect qualifications for a Philadelpia Schools Superintendent— DonQ
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- this is Philadelphia, we all knew the Black guy would win and the Hispanic was window dressing,— poogie
- To all the smart comments about the the brothers and sisters running this district into the ground. We should just higher a Tea Party backed superintendent and see how quickly your opinions would change. It is a shame that some European-Americans are still so racist.— brizz33
- Smart man Martinez , phila is run by the bro' s and sister's into the ground. he knew a black guy was getting the job. why would anyone in their right mind leave Nevada for filtydelphia.— krautmef1
- Nice picture of the SRC's new love birds. So by considering Hite, the SRC would be suggesting that public opinion is irrelevant. Local school/district decisions are part of a democracy for a reason. The last lady the state brought in failed. Why would Hite be different? Same history of no confidence with staff.— TooTone
- Hite is left? Philly gets the leftovers, again.— Tyrone Biggums
- I'm thrilled he is taking the other job. Martinez was not a good candidate for superintendent. We at least need someone who has been a teacher before.— nikki1231
- One more black leader that the city will be paying multi-million dollars in severance within three years of arrival on the job. Guaranteed.— wlkelly
- Of all the commentors on here, who went and actually talked to either of these candidates? Or do we all know that what we think or say doesn't matter when it comes to the SRC and governor?
The whole "process" is disgusting and so is this city anymore.— omseeker - I went and I was very disappointed. Although we were able to meet him, they didn't give anyone a heads up who their selections were before Monday. — dliciousd
- well whatever happens in SDP, the school district out in Clarke County will have it WORSE!— hmmm
- William Hite sounds perfect for Philadelphia - A No-Confidence Vote from his current employer, misappropriation of funds, professional misconduct, and nepotism. ...He is tailor-made to step into Arlene's pumps.— JamesIgnatius
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- We should have picked Pedro. He's obviously pretty smart.— tr88
- The governor is killing Philadelphia, and whoever he appoints will only serve him to that end.— PhillySteel36
- He'll need to add more metal detectors, bars on windows, armed guards patrolling the schools and buy back student handguns.. He also must find the missing fathers of 70% of the school students and require them to pay up their child support. Philadelphia public schools are a wasteland, a product of disfunctional families and a Black culture and doesn't teach its' children respect for others, honesty and the value of education. Nothing can help the Philly school system and everyone with common sense knows it.— farley
- The Phillies should have picked up Martinez!— phillynupe4
- Yes he can, Christ has "The Master Plan."— Dian2350
- What the public doesn't understand is school districts already have people dealing with budgets. A noneducator has NO business running a school district because there is a LOT more involved than just budgets. Martinez isn't qualified to run a hot dog stand. The Board of Trustees in Washoe County should be recalled.— tonysam
- Its not just about the budgetting. Its about running an organization. Educators do not do this well, in general. — beth639639
- Hite is going to make Queen Arlene look like an amature. He's being run out of Baltimore! Way to go SCR...outta the frying pan and into the fire— msmame
- I totally agree with you. I thought Hite was the decoy and Martinez was going to get the job. I don't understand why Hite would be offered this job. His reputation according to on line petitions is shot to hell. — dliciousd
- Yes he can he has "The Master Plan."— Dian2350
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- Good thing Bernie's still around. — foxonwheels
- Welcome into office Arlene Ackerman's son William Hite complete with sex scandals and petitions already calling for his head at his old job. Why would we want to increase funding to schools when $93M of the $94M will go to minority contractors that take money and don't do anything. Just tax us, send a ship out to the Delaware full of our money, and burn it down...at least it's quicker and more transparent.— bjb2416
- Why would you take a job in small county NV. instead of the 5th largest city in America? I find that odd - almost as odd as the picture above. (w/ the clasped hands) & Of course this means Hites is the guy - He was probably getting it anyway.— kennedy2
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- He's NOT from Nevada, he's from Chicago but brought to Nevada by Heath Morrison. Martinez is an Arne Duncan crony. He couldn't score enough federal dollars, so he was pushed out of WCSD and became deputy superintendent of of instruction for Clark County despite having NO background whatsoever as an educator. He is considered a laughingstock in Clark County and they are glad to be rid of him. — tonysam
- Did anyone actually have delusions that a non-black would get the job? Remember who runs the city.— gYo
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- Shut up Cleanup Philly!!!!! SHuty up!!! >Everytime there is an article poertaining to public education in Philly you comment in a way thaty is negative towards teachers as working professionals.
NewsFlash!!! We are the MOST educated workforce in America., Over 75% of teachers possess Masters degrees. Point¨being.... we understand thwe neccessity of balancing checkbooks. WQe have families too idiot.
The District has been run by the State of PA for several years now,.... its the SRC and the STATE or Commonweath if you will , that doesn´t know how to balance a checkbook. Idiot! Lets clean up CleanUp Phillies stupidity. Join me... everytime he or her makes stupid remarks lets correct her...I have decided you are a she. Care to disprove me?— teach34181 - OK. I teach in Philly, too and I always disagree with CLeanupPhilly except this time. You need a money/professional manager at the top and a really good education expert working with him. Trust me - our problem is that we haven't had someone who knows how to run an organization! — beth639639
- Look at that phoney photo of Martinez. Did he have it taken at Sears Portrait Studio with one of those cheap baby packages? What a ham. Both of these choises are terrible.
- oh no. *Please* don't tell me they're playing "let's make a deal" with Martinez. All cards should be on the table re: salary, job description, etc. and it's "take it or leave it."
If Martinez is acting coy, I say dump him. PSD doesn't need more games or drama. (plus I don't think Martinez held a candle to Hite)— I Teach in Philly - These are two Ackermans in the making. This proves that the SRC is just up to their same old tricks. No reform, No transparency, No Hope and No Change.
- Sounds like a great opportunity to begin looking at other candidates. (Preferably with local experience)
— Pluski
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Inquirer reporter Kristen Graham writes the Philly School Files blog, where she covers education in Philadelphia, both in and out of the classroom.
Kristen Graham
During the school year, you’ll frequently find her hosting live chats about the district on Philly.com. Please do pass along the scoop about what’s going on at your Philadelphia public school; Kristen welcomes tips, story ideas and witty banter at kgraham@phillynews.com or 215-854-5146.
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