Creg Williams is looking for a place to live, but he is already making himself at home within the walls of the St. Louis Public Schools headquarters.
Declaring that “the budget is on the priority list,” Williams, the superintendent of the school district pending contract negotiations, met with “cabinet-level” administrators last Thursday and Friday and announced he would bring a “transition team” to St. Louis when he returns from Philadelphia.
“I met with budget people to make sure we hit the ground running on financial issues. We went over some of the fine print, the line items, so we can get to the business of education.”
Williams said the transition team would be comprised of 10-12 people.
“We will get a glimpse of what is going on in the district, where we are with (academic) goals now as compared to previous reports.”
He said team members would come from Philadelphia, Chicago, Texas and St. Louis and would serve for five to six weeks. The team would compile a written report on the district’s status and report to the superintendent and school board as to “where we are in respect to individual departments.”
“The transition period is critical. I let cabinet members know that this is a non-threatening process, but we will be looking at every aspect (of the district) with a fine eye,” he said.
“We want to immediately let our constituents know how we plan to reshape their school district.”
Williams, who is completing his tenure as deputy chief academic officer of the School District of Philadelphia, said the transition team “would not be of great expense,” with a bill coming in for their services under $100,000.
Williams vowed to have a “student agenda” that includes a citywide student government that meets with him on a regular basis.
“There will be a platform for students,” Williams explained.
He said he certainly understands the demands to improve high school students’ performance in the district, and he said “it is a disservice by not getting in their face.”
“I’m going to go into high schools head-first. We are going to develop a more open dialogue as to how to prepare high school students for the future.
“I’m going to work on what we have to offer them. I want (businesses) to create summer opportunities. We are going to figure out how to empower secondary students. First and foremost is to teach them that education is important and how to continue that education in some form in the future.”
Williams also said he asked the school board and district officials to wait on approving “any major initiatives and major tasks” for at least three weeks.
Williams, who said his administration would be open to the public and the media, covered several other topics during his press conference.
On his contract: “We’re still working on the contract. I assure you we’ll get it done and get it behind us.”
On Pamela Randall Hughes: “She has done a good job (as interim superintendent) and will remain a part of my team. I’ll help build her talents. I have no idea if she will remain as deputy superintendent or whether there will be a change of title. We’ll see.”
On school board elections: “I’ll extend a warm welcome to new board members, whoever they might be. I’m not in a position to comment on any candidate, obviously.”
On criticism by Teachers Union president: “Nothing like that bothers me. People have a right to reflect who their first choice was. I’m optimistic (Mary Armstrong and I) can develop a strong working relationship.”
On past board squabbles: “We’ve got to demonstrate to the public that we can work together.”
On the Regional Business Council: “(Our meeting) went very well. I learned some of the RBC members’ concerns, and I shared mine with them.”
On the faith-based community: “I will let (the faith-based community) know that we are accessible and want to hear its concerns. It will be an inclusive process.”
