News-Record.com

I am sure the way Greensboro is the black candidate will get it. Not taking anything away from him, but we are on that diversity kick around here and he will prevail. Same thing happened with the police chief for example. Promote black, so you don't have any problems.

Yeah, when you have two candidates, take the one who says he has "mixed emotions" about taking the job everytime. Works for me. Duh...

My guess is the search firm begged this guy to keep his hat in the ring so they can get paid, and he's really just some kind of dummy candidate so it looks like they at least got two viable candidates.

I thought Mo Green was the casino operator in The Godfather- the one in the barber's chair who developed eye problems.

He's back.

It appears from his work experience listed in the article that Mr. Green has never taught one day in a classroom. As a teacher, it would be quite difficult to accept him as an educational leader. What does he know about classroom instruction and discipline, and all of the other issues and situations that teachers are confronted with on a daily basis. I know that the superintendent is more of a district-wide manager than an educator, but it appears he doesn't even have administrative experience at the school site level. It appears that Dr. Prince has worked her way up through various levels of the educational system and would have a better grasp on the rippling effects of her decisions. One of the main gripes teachers have about administrators at any level is how quickly they forget what it's like to be in a classroom.

Although a BA and JD from Duke are quite impressive, an M. Ed and PhD, coupled with classroom and admin experience, would be of greater benefit to the students and employees of GCSS.
However, seeing as how many within GCSS view Char-Meck as the "Mecca" of NC education, it's pretty obvious who will be selected.
Hail, diversity!

I can't believe all of this negativity about the young Black man as one of the candidates. One reader stated knowing Greensboro they were sure the Black gentleman would get the position as Superintendent. Knowing Greensboro as I due and have been a resident here my entire life; that is certainly not true. I have seen a lot of injustice in this city in the past and it is still going on today. Let face it, how many Blacks have we had in this position in Greensboro. Think About It!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to commend the Board for their choice of the two finalists. Both have expertise, leadership skills and experience that would benefit the school system. It is affirming that either candidate would be a first for Guilford County Schools-the first female superintendent or the first African American superintendent. I would be happy to have either take the lead and set a positive and successful direction for GCS.

In other words Andy, Dr. Grier and the majority of the School Board had a negative and unsuccessful direction for GCS? No debating that.

It is frightening how how the School Board was able to duplicate Obama/Clinton.

Carol Cobb,

Obviously race should not disqualify anyone from consideration for any job, but it shouldn't qualify him either just because there has never been a black superintendent of Greensboro or Guilford County Schools. If you will read my post, my contention is that he is not trained as an educator. If the article is correct, then he has absolutely no experience running a classroom or a school. He has served as an attorney for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg district and as chief operating officer, which means he worked with finances and the budget. Admittedly, the district finances and budget are a big part of the superintendent's responsibilities, but he must also provide the vision, expertise and oversight of the most important task of any school district ... educating students. He doesn't seem to have any experience in this area where Dr. Prince seems to have a career's worth of experience.

Race needs to be a non factor in the decision and the school board should hire the person who is most qualified.

Duplicating Obama/Clinton? Not surprising at all for Greensboro. Actually, it is quite par for the course. My question is: Will they let the candidate with the most experience relevant to education win? Knowing Greensboro and why I don't live there anymore, I seriously doubt it. Welcome aboard, Mr. Green.

Dont make this about race, instead if we are going to look at the flaws of both then be fair about it. Prince has been Super. in a 7000 pupil school district. Green has no classroom experience. Both have experience in running the day to day operations, which is really the most important part. The Superintendent will not change much unless he/she ruffles a lot of feathers. Look at what is happening in Charlotte, and how the principals are rating Gorman/CMS. From what I have heard from you wont hear anything negative about both candidates. Both understand NC and the demands it places on teacher/administrators. Both will bring a very unique perspective. So the real question is what are we looking for, someone who has worked in a small district or someone who has worked in a large district. Either way I doubt that we go wrong with the selection.

" ... So the real question is what are we looking for, someone who has worked in a small district or someone who has worked in a large district. Either way I doubt that we go wrong with the selection.

Dr. Spock, your comments are as inane as your namesake, Sir. Think for just a moment ... if you were headed for battle, whom would you want to lead, a battle-seasoned veteran of smaller skirmishes and conflicts or someone who has only watched a lot of war movies? Nothing can replace classroom experience especially for those who seek to lead those that are now in the classroom. For the teachers and, ultimately, the students, it comes down to a great deal more than just "Large vs. Small" districts. I'm glad you're not on the BOE ... or ARE you?

Let's stop playing the race card... and get whom ever is best and the one that better qualifys for the position and will help lead our educators to help our children.

As a parent of a child who is entering the Guilford County School System, I don't care if someone is white, black or purple, I want a Sup. who has experience in the education of children and has the children's best interest at heart! From some of the comments on here, people are promoting a person based on color due to the fact that, that particular race hasn't held a Sup. position. What does that have to do with our children and their education? Seems to me, these people need to think about what it was like when their children were young and how they would feel in the same situation. If, these people had children at all. Come on people, we need some one with experience and hello.. a background in education!! Think about it!

Both have unique strengths. It is interesting to note that one of them has the "great strength" of reducing the job force in his respective county. Is this foreshadowing for GCS? Personally I believe that the gentleman will be selected. Race or no race. I believe that teachers would respect having having a leader with more experience however the board et. al would like a numbers cruncher since they have difficulty in this realm. This should be very interesting.

The following was taken from Scotland County Schools website (www.scsnc.org/). It was found by clicking on "Grades 3 - 5 Math Problems" in the lower right corner of the homepage. (Apparently an on-line site for students in the Scotland County Schools to practice their mathematical skills). The "answer" is supplied for each mathematical problem/exercise.

"March 12, 2007

Melody's new bedroom is 16 feet by 21 feet. She wants to get carpet to cover the entire floor. How many square yards of carpet does she need? Show your answer using pictures, numbers, or words.

Answer: Melody needs 112 square yards of carpet to cover her bedroom."

HUH? Not 112 square YARDS by my calculations!

Does the above example of "learn THIS math" worry anyone?

It is 112 square yards??

Let' stop playing the race card? Believe me as a white man I'm tired of the race card, but the crap has only just begun thanks to affirmative action and 75% of black people crying because they didn't get this or that when it comes to a job, notice I didn't say all, I said 75% in my opinion. It's like you are owed something and my take is this guy will get it because he's black and that's my opinion. Thanks to Jesse Jackson and others we have AA and that has ruined us in the workplace.

Is this the only picture of Maurice Green that the News and Record was capable of finding for publish?

Has anybody read the article posted by Glover in the N&A today (Schools job candidates greet, meet). This is looking like a no brainer. Mr. Green has only been working the in CM school system for about two years. Dr. Prince has worked at different levels of two school systems, including teacher, school site administrator and at the county level, and her current system has similar demographics to Guilford County even though it is much smaller. I am sure that Mr. Green is an intelligent and resourceful man, BUT he has no real experience in educational leadership to prepare him for this position. It seems that the search firm did an adequate job luring Dr. Prince, but was Mr. Green the next best candidate they could find, to oversee one of the largest school systems in North Carolina?

Yes, I did read today's Glover article... and agree that it appears a no-brainer! Only difference is, the way I read it, if Green and Duncan go way back, who do you suppose will get his vote? Remember the old adage: It isn't what you know, it's who you know! Just what we need! One more lawyer in a position of power... and practical experience be damned! God help us all!

Thanks Joseph - I can't believe that the NR couldn't request a better photo of Mr. Green. (I wonder what conclusion you gather out of each photo?) Don't you love the media. Anyway, both are inadequate for the position. We need to get our money back from the search firm and start over.

I have a guy for the job. Rick Sherrill who was just hired as associate superintendant in Burke Co.

He's an ex principal at the middle and high school levels, served as assistant super in Catawba County, and superintendant in Pamlico Co.

Here's the kicker- He's an ex-Marine who wouldn't take any of the crap thats going on in our schools.

Big change from what we just had....

Both are fairly decent candidates and could effectively run the county based upon their background and experience. I have taught in GCS for many years and believe me the most effective administrators are typically not the best teachers. In others words, Mr. Green lacking classroom experience should not be a deciding factor. Many principals have taught 1, 2, 3 years or less and are effectively managing teachers, balancing budgets and allowing teachers professional development opportunties to hone their craft.
It's unfortunate that race is even mentioned. These are qualified applicants. Don't crucify people because they have success within their specific profession.

Rick,
I agree that Green's connection with Duncan is a bit disconcerting, but in all my communication with Duncan (usually via email), he has been honest and forthright. However, I do agree that the last thing this district needs is a lawyer at the helm. Guilford County Schools is a district dominated by political correctness. Upper level administrators are afraid to offend anyone and draw anything that remotely resembles a line in the sand. Basically, if you complain enough, you usually get your way. And regrettably, decent-minded and hard-working people who do use the common sense that God gave us all don’t complain enough.

Nothing worse, the math is correct.

Joseph and Topsail, the photos of Dr. Prince and Mr. Green were provided by the paper's in their towns.

As a superintendent in NC for the last several years, I have to agree with several others who commented that this is a no-brainer. Who does the people of Guilford County want running their schools; a veteran educator or an attorney with little experience or an 30 year veteran, proven educator? If you were to have to have surgery, would you not want a surgeon operating on you and not attorney? Same as if I you needed an lawyer. Would you not want an attorney and not an educator? Dr. Prince is one of the best superintendents in the state and her record proves it (2007 NC Superintendent of the Year). I hope that Guilford Board of Education makes the right decision in this matter for the best interest of the children of Guilford County and throw the politics and politcally correctness out the window.

As a Scotland County native, I personally would hate to see Dr. Prince leave. She has Scotland County Schools headed in the right direction with continuous improvement and results. Her recognition as superintendant of the year was not just given, but earned through hard work and dedication to the Scotland system. She is a leader who has guided this county to state recognition with the innovations she has made. Dr Prince, I hope you come in second because Scotland County needs you. You are appreciated!

I'm sorry, John Robinson, but you are mistaken. The math problem on the Scotland County Schools website which I quoted does give an incorrect answer.

The correct answer is 37 and 1/3 square yards, not 112 square yards as shown by the Scotland County School system.

Here's why:

16' x 21' = 336 square feet

Divide the 336 square feet by 9 square feet

and the answer is 37 and 1/2 square yards

We knew that they had to have a black candidate,
but one with about no education supervision, give
me a break.

I realize this is a forum for posting opinions, but the degree to which folks assert blame is amazing. If most of what is said above is accurate, we have a bad search firm, a bad candidate from Charlotte, a bad candidate from Scotland County, a bad Board that is going to make decisions based on race, a bad Board Chair who will put his personal interests in selecting someone he once knew over the interests of the community he knows now, a bad former Superintendent, and a bad math problem on a web site. Oh, and a bad Chief of Police. And a bad group who picked that Chief. Good grief.

I do not know Dr. Prince. I do know Mo Green. He is smart, has great judgment, and the ability to solve problems. He treats people well. If he remains in public education, he will one day run any system he wants to run anywhere in the country. He is that good. Yes, because Mr. Green did not start his career in the field of education he could just as easily be dedicating his talents to running some corporation, like many with law degrees do. But, fortunately for Charlotte-Mecklenburg, and fortunately for us if we are not short-sighted, he chose to apply himself in this field.

Dr. Prince might be all of those things and more. But let's lay off all this ridiculous criticism and bias, and support the people we elected to make a good decision.

blesspatty, my mistake. Looks like I'm not fit to be a superintendent either!

Based on only my personal experience with Mo Green as a parent with kids in CMS I could not offer a recommendation. Over a six month period I included Mo Green in ten emails concerning CMS shorting our middle schools on arts teachers, and he never answered any of the emails personally. He did at last ask a PR person to respond, and tell me that he and Superintendent Gorman were not going to change the teacher allocations and that they didn't need to follow the NC Standard Course of Study. I was greatly disappointed in his response to my concerns, and a reply email questioning many of the positions taken was also not answered.

I will continue to advocate for equitable allocation of a complete group of arts teachers for all CMS middle schools in spite of the lack of concern and support of Mo Green.

Dale Johnson
Charlotte, NC

That's okay, Mr. Robinson -- I'm guessing that you don't enjoy doing long division, complex multiplication, or percentages in your head "for fun/relaxation"!

We all have our eccentricities (no mathematical pun intended). [smiling]

Hello Greensboro!

I am a former teacher with Guilford County Schools and am now an administrator in Charlotte Meck. I have been very interested in following your Superintendent search during the last few days for obvious reasons. I have been reading this blog and certainly understand the concern over Mo Green's lack of experience at the school level. From my experience, I will tell you that if he does get the job he will have the whole community forgetting what his background is within the first few weeks due to his compassion for people, his communication of innovative ideas, and his diligence in implementation. From an educator who has come up through the "ranks", Mo Green is very respected by me. If Mo Green is selected there will most likely be more disappointed people in Charlotte than in Greensboro.
As a side note, our nationwide search gave us Dr. Peter Gorman which has yielded us countless benefits. Mr. Green has been fortunate to learn the instructional side from him over the last few years.

I do not know Dr. Prince but I am sure that she has come up through the ranks as most people do. I do know Mo Green and can assure you that he would do Guilford County Schools a world of justice. I am an educator in Rockingham County and have been fortunate enough to get to know several admnistrators across the state and country. To hear people bash a man that do not know and lift a woman they do not know bothers me. Mo is about as fair as they come. his passion for the field of education is second to none. Look at the work that CMS is doing under his watch. Are the people on this Blog that is Anti-Green afraid that he will lead the County to higher heights? I think so. Give both of them a fair shake.

blesspatty,

While I would not hold Ms. Prince responsible for the school's website mistakes, it does provide a good example of why students can not do simple math when they graduate from high school. If those that teach do not know how to spell, write and do math, then how are the students supposed to learn? That was really a very basic math question that had great relevance to every day life. If Melody goes and buys 112 square yards of carpet @ $10 per yard, then she has spent $1,120 for her carpet when she should have spent $373. Yes, being able to do basic math would have saved her $747. And, some students say that what they teach in school isn't relevant.

It appears that whoever posted the answer to the math question divided 336 sq. ft. by 3, not 9, dividing by one yard, not one square yard. A basic mistake commonly made.

Who is running the NYC schools? A "non-educator". Who was running the San Diego schools for years before our guy moved out there? A "non-educator". These appear to be two good candidates, but let's not go nuts over this "educator" thing - look at all the bad school systems around the country run by "educators".

As a parent of a student in the Guilford County School System, I am very disappointed in some of the comments that have been made regarding race. Race definitely should not be the issue here. What is important is choosing the best person to lead Guilford County Schools to the next level. People should not be saying that a person is going to be given the job just because they are black. What they should say is that the person was selected for the job because they were the best qualifed. It is very unfortunate that race was even brought up. It just goes to show that Greensboro still has a lot of growing to do. People are always saying that African Americans are always playing the race card. Well the truth of the matter is we are only playing the cards that we are dealt. This is not a black and white thing, but an EDUCATION thing!

There will be complaints either way. What we have is two unique candidates. We've had white male superintendents here in Guilford County for quite some time, but I haven't heard an uproar about that. Maybe it's time for something a little different.

The current interim position is split between a white woman and a black man, is it not? Maybe we should hire both Prince & Green so that we'll have a man and a woman, a black and a white, a lawyer & a teacher. The only way to please everyone is to hire two or more people to share the position.

How in the world this has anything to do with Hillary & Obama escapes me, but I must say reading the comments has been infuriating and entertaining today. Let's hope the best candidate for our children gets the position. Let's do all we can to support our children and our school system so that all have a equal chance at a good education.

Stop all the damn whining! Black candidate, yellow candidate...Who gives a hoot? I agree with Bill. No classroom experience is a no no! Char-Meck schools is a bust! I taught there. That entire system sux (yes...with an "x"). Diversity means absolutely nothing. What matters is who's in the position to make the final decision about these two finalists. There are soooo many whites who feel the way majority of you bloggers do and in the end diversity means NOTHING!!!! We are in the USA. So what about experience.... We had George Bush for VP and Pres who had NO political experience....But "knowing Greensboro", the only way Mo will get that job is if he steals it like our pathetically comical President G W Bush did in both elections!

I still can't belive that this is still being debated on this blog. I sure that Mr. Green (not Dr. Green) is a good guy and does an excellent job as the Assist. Supt for Operations of CMS school system. But last time I check, running a school system had a lot to do with curriuculum, testing, Standard Course of Study, and being an effective instructional leader. I want all of you to take some advise from Sam's email. For those that need an operation, let me operate on you. I'm not a surgeon, but I'm very successful in my profession and I have been in a doctor's office many times. Final thought: Anyone can be a good manager, but it takes many years and experience to be an effective instructional leader.

Why is that when a black candidate is a finalist, the public focuses on everything except his/her credentials. Who cares how the man looks, where he has worked, etc. Is he a good leader--isn't that what superintendent do? They lead people to be the best they can be on their jobs--not everybody in a school system teaches--some deal with money, policy, community relations, etc. So, judge these two candidates on their past record of leadership not color or anything else. Remember, a white guy has led us into high gas prices, an unjust war, a mortgage crisis, and an "economic slowdown." Race doesnt matter.