Redefinition is Key for Schools Leader

Yvonne Wingett
The Arizona Republic
Sunday, November 16, 2008

Superintendent-elect focuses on challenges.

The county's regional school district faces many challenges. Teachers and staff haven't been paid. Insurance and benefits have lapsed. And morale is at an all-time low, with the acrimonious departure of Sandra Dowling, and the closure of the Thomas J. Pappas schools for the homeless this summer.

For 20 years, Dowling ruled over Maricopa County Regional School District No. 509 and redefined the superintendent's position by expanding the role of non-traditional schools with the three Pappas schools. But those schools, the darlings of many local philanthropists, were closed after a long battle with the Board of Supervisors. After a long legal battle that Dowling mostly won, she decided not to run for re-election.

The new superintendent, Don Covey, will redefine the role again. His job will be mostly administrative, overseeing payroll, the home-school program, the school boards within county boundaries, and programs in juvenile-detention centers. A former superintendent of the Creighton Elementary District and assistant superintendent for educational services in the Phoenix High School District, Covey says he has the experience needed to get the district back on track.

Republic county reporter Yvonne Wingett talked with Covey, a Peoria Republican, to hear how he will approach the job when he assumes the role Jan. 1.

Question: Why did you want this job?

Answer: I've been in the great Valley of the Sun since 1962. I've been through all our K-12 operations as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, superintendent, assistant superintendent. You gain a lot of knowledge and experience, and . . . I believe it's incumbent upon the current generation to help future generations. This is an opportunity for me at my age and experience to give back to a community that's been so gracious to me in terms of great opportunities and successes.

Q: What are your plans for the first 100 days?

A: Get (the district) at fiscal sovereignty, where there's a cash flow so we meet our financial obligations for the staff, and the ancillary services the district provides. Second is educational support services . . . (such as) staff development types of programs.
The third is looking over our fiscal accountability. We have two districts that are in receivership currently, the Union Elementary School District and Saddle Mountain Unified School District. Those two school districts are under the county superintendent's watch. We want to be sure that they get cleared and are moving in a positive direction.

Q: What do you see as the fundamental problems or challenges of the county regional school district?

A: Right now there is a cash-flow issue, and they've not made payroll on a couple of occasions, as well as sometimes having their benefits suspended because of the premiums not being paid. Currently, that seems to be working well, but I'm not sure it is totally resolved.
There's a cash-flow (problem), there's question about the money being available to pay the staff and provide education for the young people who are temporarily incarcerated in detention centers.

Q: What is your plan to resolve these issues?

A: First is to have an audit to see where we are . . . We have to be sure we're solvent. I also would do a program audit to see that we are providing . . . the best educational programs for these young people so they're successful when they get back to their home schools.

Q: How do you improve morale?

A: Staff morale is an issue. First and foremost, you have to make sure they get paid on time, and that there are no infringements upon their health benefits or their medical benefits. There is a good corps of staff people who are dedicated to help these young people, even to the point where they're willing to go without pay for a time, and stay the course. That is complimentary to the staff, who I have met any at all. And second, provide good, effective leadership. Let them know that there is support for them and that they're not out there alone doing the job themselves - that somebody is really mindful of good educational practices and leadership. Let them know that you have their interest at heart, and you're willing to work your . . . best to make sure they're successful in their job.

Q: With the Pappas schools closed, the only instruction that remains are programs in the juvenile-detention centers. Do you plan to continue the current teaching model as is, or have you thought about contracting with a public school district to take over those duties?

A: It's premature at this time, quite honestly, until I have time to visit the schools and talk to the (staff).

Q. How will you mend relationships with other county officials, which have been strained over the past few years with Dowling and district staff?

A. I believe so strongly in positive working relationships. I can't impact what's happened in the past. We start with the now, and we move to the future. We learn from the past, obviously, but we don't dwell and carry those forward. We want to go in a positive direction.

Reach the reporter at 602-444-4712 or yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com.