The CEO addresses the call for a state takeover of Montgomery Public Schools

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – The Montgomery County Board of Education held a special meeting Thursday to discuss the roles of the school's interim superintendent and chief financial officer and address a public call for state intervention in the system.

The board met for about 10 minutes before voting to start the board meeting. Those members returned about 50 minutes later and voted unanimously to begin negotiations with a single, unnamed candidate to potentially become the system's chief financial officer.

Board members did not vote on the appointment of an interim superintendent, although there were said to have been “several” recommendations for a superintendent. Board members will review the candidates' qualifications and vote on the candidates no later than October 8th.

The current superintendent is Melvin Brown resign his position, partly due to Tensions with certain school board members. The resignation takes effect on November 1st. The school's chief financial officer, Arthur Watts, did so accepted a job with the Alabama State Department of Education.

Before leaving for the board meeting, School Board President Brenda DeRamus-Coleman issued a statement to Thursday morning's press conference in which a coalition of community leaders assembled by the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce called for another state takeover of the system due to a “crisis of leadership.”

“Let me be clear that a government takeover is not necessary,” DeRamus-Coleman said. “I firmly believe that as a board we have the ability to right this ship and move our district in the right direction.” She added: “We are fully capable of being effective and ensure that the work of this district continues to be positive.”

DeRamus-Coleman said this could only happen: “We must put an end to the division and end the derogatory comments that have been circulating.” These distractions are currently doing nothing other than hindering our progress. They cast a shadow over the incredible work being done in Montgomery Public Schools.”

The already planned meeting took place just a few hours later The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce brought together a number of community leaders to urge the Alabama State Department of Education to retake over the Montgomery Public Schools system.

During Thursday morning's meeting, Montgomery County Commission Chairman Doug Singleton asked the school board not to name an interim superintendent and to “open the lines of communication” with Brown to see if there is an opportunity to keep him in the school system keep. Singleton attended Thursday night's meeting, although neither he nor anyone other than board members spoke.

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