This is the second installment of a three-part series on the finalists for superintendent of Durham Public Schools. Tomorrow's story will feature a profile of James Williams, superintendent of Dayton, Ohio schools.
Vision. Focus. These are the two attributes that Dr. Ann Denlinger's peers said she would bring to the Durham Public School system if elected the new superintendent.
Since becoming superintendent of Wilson County Schools in 1992, Denlinger has implemented various instructional initiatives that have helped to improve literacy. She has also enacted budgetary reforms to create more funding for technology and school construction.
The centerpiece of Denlinger's instructional improvement agenda is a four-year reading plan designed to bring the reading ability of all second graders to at or above their grade level. The program is currently in its third year and many principals and administrators in the district have said that the results look promising. Rachel Cozart, Denlinger's special assistant for instruction, said that according to literacy tests, students are performing on the upper end of the reading scale for their grade level.
Aside from test results, the improvement in reading skills also been observed by principals in Denlinger's county. "It's just been really something to see [students] wanting to read-wanting to read to me," said Deborah King, principal of Wilson County's New Hope Elementary School.
Denlinger addressed county residents and answered their questions during a forum at the Durham Magnet Center two weeks ago. In her opening remarks, Denlinger cited three primary initiatives that she adheres to as superintendent: improving student achievement, ensuring a safe learning environment and implementing decentralized decision-making.
Attempting to demonstrate her qualification for the job, Denlinger pointed out that Durham County mirrors Wilson County in terms of racial composition: Much like Durham, although 70 percent of Wilson's students are black, only 17 percent of the teachers are. Denlinger said that she and the Wilson board have acknowledged this discrepancy and are working to correct it through various incentive programs designed to attract blacks to the teaching profession.
Denlinger has also made progress within the school administration by making changes in budget expenditures and building a strong relationship with local businesses. With the help of such businesses, she acquired $30.5 million from county commissioners for new technology and facility construction. Larry Price, Wilson County assistant superintendent of administrative services, said that Denlinger has worked to align monetary resources with instruction by having schools-rather than administrators-plan the budget.
Officials at the Wilson schools said that the technological improvements appear to be successful. Lonnie Parker, assistant principal at Hunt High School, said that her new computer lab has worked tremendously well because students can express themselves better when writing papers and doing other kinds of work.
In addition to her instructional programs, Denlinger's style of leadership-her team player attitude, for example, toward curriculum development-has also drawn praise from her peers.
"She has everyone's admiration. She is a dynamic leader. She has vision. She can see where we need to be. She's not afraid to forge ahead to get there," said Steve Dollar, principal of Forest Hills Middle School. He added that Denlinger has cultivated a team environment in the schools and has given principals autonomy by authorizing site-based decision making.
Ted Kaniuka, executive director for elementary education, praised Denlinger for allowing him flexibility with his instructional initiatives. "She has always afforded me a great deal of leverage when focusing on the needs of the children," he said. "She has a very clear vision of what she believes about children and education. She does not allow obstacles to remain obstacles."
Kaniuka said that Denlinger's strongest attributes as a leader are her leadership, vision and powers of implementation. Rather than acting as an authoritarian leader, he said, Denlinger chooses to build consensus.
Price also characterized Denlinger as a leader who has the ability to look toward to the future. "She is very visionary and sees lots of possibilities for now and the future," he said, adding that Denlinger also has a touch of realism to complement her ideals.
If, in fact, Denlinger does become Durham's next superintendent, principals and administrators in Wilson County believe that she will leave behind a lasting impression.
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