City manager’s mother takes over ESL schools (again)
By: James Ingram
It would seem that ESL School District 189 is determined to remain stuck on stupid when it comes to her politics in selecting a permanent superintendent of schools.
Last Wednesday, by unanimous vote, the ESL school board slammed their intellectual gears in reverse by selecting former superintendent Lillian Parks to serve as interim superintendent, effective July 1, at a reported salary of $10,000 per month.
Parks, the mother of ESL City Manager Alvin Parks, served as school superintendent from 1990 to 1993, resigning amid financial controversy which, ultimately, led to the creation of a state oversight panel for the district.
During Parks’ tenure she also faced accusations of nepotism resulting from a District 189 payroll which, by some estimates, became a “parking lot” for several of Parks’ relatives. Exacerbating matters was Parks’ arrogance and dismissive attitude when questioned regarding the hiring of her family members.
Now, school board president Lonzo Greenwood (buddy of indicted ESL councilman Charlie Powell) and the gang are demonstrating their contempt for the citizens and students of ESL by hooking up Parks in much the same manner that Charlie Powell hooked up her son.
And Dr. Parks, in the same manner as her son, refused to comment on who, specifically, approached her to accept the position. Yet one doesn’t need a doctorate degree to make an educated guess.
Like mama, like son. The welfare of ESL is being ignored for yet another lucrative paycheck for the Parks family. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
The real question here is why didn’t Greenwood and company embark upon a search for a permanent superintendent during the last year?
It was known, nearly one year ago, upon the state appointment of Dr. Stan Mims as CEO of ESL schools, that a search would be needed to hire a permanent superintendent. What did the board do during the past year? They did what they are most proficient at doing. NOTHING!
Why wait until Dr. Mims has practically packed his suitcase before someone finally said “Duhhh, I think we need a new superintendent”?
You can’t make me believe that Greenwood and company hadn’t planned this little caper all along. In the real world, superintendents are selected every day without drama or deception. But not in East Boogie.
Dr. Parks and her son seem to share an unfounded sense of entitlement when questioned regarding their politicking for positions of leadership. Such arrogance typifies what is intrinsically wrong with ESL politics and how, without public outcry, a small minority of ESL’s bourgeois can treat positions of leadership as if they are just another meeting of Jack and Jill or The Links.
Parks’ interim contract is not to exceed six months; but who’s to say that (just like her son, Alvin) a bogus search won’t be conducted, with Dr. Parks emerging as “the choice” by an obviously biased board.
Like mama, like son. If ESL parents sit idly by and allow themselves to be bamboozled by Greenwood, the board and Parks, then they get what they deserve.
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com.
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com.