“You’re like Joe Clark,” I told Eugene White during his first meeting with the Recorder’s editorial staff after he was hired as superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools.
My comparison to Clark, a real-life educator whose unconventional approach to education reform was depicted in the movie “Lean on Me” was said with the utmost respect.
You see, both Clark and White have a great number of similarities. Both were born in the South and grew up poor, both were motivated early on to pursue careers in education, both were tasked with improving urban school districts (Clark was a principal of one of New Jersey’s toughest schools), both were strict disciplinarians, both had booming personalities and exhibited confidence in a manner some might consider arrogant, and both were tremendously successful in their respective roles.
And though I didn’t know it in 2005 during that meeting, Clark and White would share another similarity: they would be heavily observed and often criticized for their approach to education reform.
While Clark and White are similar in certain aspects, it is important to note that White by far has more decorum and outward respect for students, administrators and teachers.
When White announced Tuesday that he would retire as superintendent of IPS I was not the least bit surprised. Sure, the writing was clearly on the wall when White became a finalist in two superintendent bids in Alabama and South Carolina; but it became even more apparent that White would leave the city’s largest school district last November when the school board election resulted in new members whose ideals on reform were in stark contrast to White’s. Over the seven years that White has been with IPS, opposition on the board – though apparent – was “in check” because White often had the majority as his supporters. That all changed in November and when the new board took effect earlier this month, his fate was solidified; either on his own doing or under the board’s directive.
White’s tenure with IPS has resulted in many positive changes for the district. Most notably are: the creation of IPS’ full-day kindergarten program, increasing the district’s overall graduation rate from 44 percent in 2005 to 65 percent in 2012, more options for parents, improved magnet schools, and the decision to mandate uniforms, which in itself has reduced aspects of bullying.
Perhaps the most important aspect of White’s tenure, however, is he enlightened the public to the ills of IPS; which propelled the district to the forefront of the community and media. Ironically, this very same accomplishment is probably one of the reasons White and IPS were more closely scrutinized in recent years. Everyone had an opinion on how IPS should be run.
While White’s tenure was not all perfect (test scores continued to drop, student enrollment diminished, and White’s approval rating among his subordinates was questionable at times); overall he has done a good job – better than any of his recent predecessors.
Now the real work begins. And that work rests on the shoulders of the IPS School Board.
Some IPS board members (including the newly-elected ones) thought White was ineffective long ago and they wanted him gone. After April 5 their wish will come true. How the board transitions the district henceforth will be integral to the future of IPS. One thing that works in the district’s favor is that the transitions of the board as well as White’s departure are occurring simultaneously. That sets the tone for more consistency and uniformity for the 2013-2014 school year.
Throughout the process of selecting White’s replacement as well as setting a new agenda for IPS, the board must remember that everything falls on them – there isn’t a fall guy. The board is ultimately responsible at this point.
As White rounds off his final months with the district and embarks on his new path in life, I thank him for his years of service. And while he didn’t achieve as much as some would have liked, he made a considerable difference to IPS and his commitment to enriching children’s lives was always his top agenda item. For that he should be commended.
You can email comments to Shannon Williams at shannonw@indyrecorder.com.
