Peoria Public Schools will leave the chain of succession for leadership positions largely in the hands of the superintendent, rather than a board-level committee.
The board on Monday rejected the idea in a 4-2 vote, with board member Lynne Costic absent. The committee was championed by board members Martha Ross and Costic as a "proactive way to ensure effective leadership and organizational stability throughout the school hierarchy."
But some saw it as a Trojan horse that in practice would serve as a threat to Superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, aimed at setting up a back door candidate for her job when Kherat's contract expires in two years.
Toni Strong, vice president of the Peoria Federation of Teachers, said the idea was "foolhardy."
"When choosing a new superintendent, union members should be involved. Parents and community stakeholders should be involved, as well. The process should be transparent," Strong said.
But Ross said the committee isn't about the superintendent. Rather, she said the board-directed succession plan would blunt the stress created when key personnel leave the district. She said it would also offer recruitment and retention opportunities.
"This is a business that we run. And the board is in charge of giving directions to what we need to do in this district, and I just feel that it's important that we value the people that already work for us and able to move up in certain positions," Ross said.
New board member Larry Ivory also framed the school district as a business in need of a roadmap.
"We do need a succession plan that's clear, that's concise, that speaks to the issues that we're talking about," he said. "Those who don't understand that, then, I think they don't understand business and how business ought to operate, quite frankly."
Kherat said she is "truly confused" by the proposal because a clear succession plan already exists.
"If something happens to any one of us, including principals, there's already a replacement," she said. "So there's no need for succession planning for staffing for PPS, which is my role. The role that the board has is to select a superintendent for filling a vacancy."
Board member Christina Rose said she can't find any precedent for a similar committee in a school district. In a heated exchange, Rose said setting a succession plan outside of filling a superintendent vacancy is out of the board's purview. Ross disagreed.
"No, it is in our lane because we direct the superintendent. The board directs the superintendent in putting any, any plans together," Ross said.
To which Kherat shot back:
"To hire folks that are not qualified? Because that's what you said. You know, if people want a job, they can apply for positions. Anyone who wants a job can apply," she said, to applause from the audience.
Ross and Ivory voted to create the committee. Rose, Paris McConnell, Gregory Wilson, and Chanel Hargrave-Murry opposed it.
