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Schools Chief Improves On Her Evaluation

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By MARILYN BROWN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 5, 2008

TAMPA - Hillsborough Superintendent MaryEllen Elia received a better evaluation this year from her seven bosses, including two who gave her dismal reviews last year.

Elia remains "above satisfactory" in overall performance, although she gained 18 points, up to 267 out of the 315 total making up her rating.

Her highest ratings from the seven school board members were in instructional leadership, where she got the top mark of 5 from five board members and 4s from April Griffin and Susan Valdes, her staunchest critics.

"I think there have been some areas of improvement," Griffin said Monday. "We're doing a good job in a lot of areas. We just need to give more attention to elective and vocational courses."

In the nine areas rated, all board members except Griffin and Valdes gave Elia scores of 4 and 5 on a scale of 1 to 5 in all areas.

Board member Jack Lamb awarded the most points, 43, followed by board chairwoman Jennifer Faliero and Carol Kurdell, each with 42. Board members Doretha Edgecomb and Candy Olson each gave Elia 40 points. Valdes gave Elia 31 points, Griffin 29.

Lamb lauded Elia's leadership role at state and national levels and wrote, "Has definitely raised level of aspiration in the district." Olson noted Elia's "foresight and financial management skills. Working with staff, she has reduced the impact of the economic downturn on the district. Some of her actions have been unpopular, but she seems to be doing a better job of communicating districtwide, and we face much less dramatic cuts than many other districts."

The lowest scores again this year came from Griffin and Valdes. Griffin awarded all 3s and 4s as did Valdes, except for the area of labor relations, where she gave her a 5.

Last year, Griffin and Valdes were taken to task by other board members for their low evaluations. Griffin gave Elia scores of 1 and 2 except for a 4 in instructional leadership and a 3 in curriculum planning development. She criticized Elia for a rigid, unyielding manner. Valdes gave Elia scores of 2 and 3.

This year, Valdes wrote of Elia: "You are very hard working and have high expectations for our school district. I appreciate the work that you do. I applaud you in the way you have worked without unions and equally respect them."

In another section, she wrote: "There seems to be inconsistencies in how employees are treated. Employee morale is low and employees feel that their loyalty is not reciprocated by either the superintendent or their management."

Elia's evaluation and approval of her contract is on the agenda for today's 3 p.m. school board meeting. Her contract runs until July 2010, but is up to be extended for another year. Her new salary will be determined when employees' raises are determined. She also gets bonus money based mainly on student achievement.

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at mbrown@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-8069.

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