Superintendent candidates meet the community

NORWALK — One candidate for the Norwalk City Schools superintendent's job said he wants to come home. The other said he is home and wants to stay. The two candidates for Norwalk's top job — Jude Meyers and Brad Cooley — met with a group of about 30 to 35 local people Monday night at Norwalk High School. Afterwards, the two each got a second interview in front of the school board. The board has not said when it will decide on the new superintendent but there is a regular board meeting at 7:30 tonight at the high school. Meyers, superintendent of the Gallia County Local Schools, is from Sandusky and a graduate of St. Mary's High School. "For met it's time to come home," he said. "This is such a great opportunity for me." Cooley, who has been with the Norwalk district since 2002 and principal of Norwalk High School since 2009, said he bleeds Trucker blue blood. "Once I am at a place I want to see it become the very best," Cooley said. "Norwalk Trucker — that is what I am. I want to be good at everything we do." On some of the key talking points, both said they will be very visible. Meyers said you will think he has a twin and Cooley said he always works a second shift. Both are in favor of a new elementary school when the time is right and both are against local students going through six different schools from start to finish. Too many transitions for the students, both said. "Does every person have a 'go-to' person," Meyers said. "Challenges to every transition." And, both said if hired they will be here to stay until retirement. Here are other points made by the two: Meyers "I will never forget my ties to the classroom." "Relationships with them (St. Paul) is critical." He said while in Gallia the district eliminated GPAs, the valedictorian and salutatorian in favor of Cum Laude. He said too many people played the "GPA game" with their classes. "You'll think I had a twin ... you lead from the front." "In my position you have to be a good listener ... most people want to be heard." "This is my No. 1 choice. This is where I want to be. I hope this is my last interview for a long, long time. It's not just a job, it's a home. I want to be a stakeholder in this community ... I want to finish my career here. I want to be here to make sure we complete the mission. Not a stepping-stone to the next job." Cooley "I go to everything," he said. "At a minimum two shifts a day. There is no timeframe stopping me." "I am going to do what it takes to win (without bending the rules). The staff, coaches, teachers and administrators are they key." "We have not felt like a team ... we have run very, very good islands ... we want to be on the same page." "We can encourage open-enrollment. Norwalk is the place to be. We have things that can draw students to Norwalk." He talked about what a "buzz" the new high school created in this community and said the same would happen with a new elementary school, saying "not too many teachers are happy" with the way the schools are set up now. "With our ducks in order we can make that happen." How tough would it be if Cooley got the job and had to give up his seat at NHS? "I lost my baby," he said. "I love walking in here every day. A positive feel walking in here. My focus has to be the elementary ... a lot more listening than talking." How about doing things that won't make some people happy? "I'm always going to make the tough decisions," he said. "I always going to do what is right. We'll do what is best for the kids." School board president Ralph Ritzenthaler was pleased with the event. "It was a very nice turnout of community members and staff," he said. "I was able to see part of the stakeholder meeting before tonight's final interviews unlike the focus group meeting a few weeks ago where board members were ask to be absent. "All board members were able to see the two candidates' future plans for the district as both repeated their presentation during their interview. The finalist input forms from the public were shared with us and were very interesting. The stakeholders shared their thoughts and feelings which is extremely beneficial for the final decision. What a great help they were. It was a good decision to have this meeting." A special board meeting will be held at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the Norwalk High School Library. The board will go into executive session. Action may be taken following the executive session.