Jim Ross, who created the Facebook page that addresses the records of the Little Rock School District superintendent candidates and a petition to remove Dr. Walter Milton from the finalists, has notified the School Board that candidate Milton wants to talk to him:
Dear LRSD Board:
On Monday February 25, 2013 I was approached by Marci Manley a reporter from KARK and given a piece of paper with Dr. Milton’s personal phone number on it. I was a little shocked at this, and was further shocked when she told me that he wanted me to call him.
I have not called him and nor will I. I am deeply concerned about this contact outside the normal means of the interview process.
I am responsible for the Facebook page that is looking at all the candidates’ public records, and I am responsible for the petition asking you all to remove him from the interview process.
I am not sure why he was contacting me. Did he mean to intimidate me? Did he want to persuade me to remove my opposition to his interview? More importantly has he been contacting others in our city? This whole experience has convinced me that he does not have the ethical wisdom it takes to be a strong leader. Is it ethically proper to contact someone in this city about this job? Are we going to be open and transparent in this process.
I hope each of you will honestly look at the other three candidates that the search firm has selected for us. Each of them have weaknesses, but they each appear to be very strong and visionary leaders who would serve our city well.
Thanks for your service. I was reminded today that you all are not paid for this work. I know it is a sacrifice. I really mean it when I say I am thankful for the sacrifice each one of you make.
Jim Ross
Board member Leslie Fisken replied to Ross’ email, thanking him for his appreciation of their work.
Thank you for your appreciation Mr. Ross. Our board is working together as a team during this superintendent search and adding:
I have not had any communications with Dr. Milton or any of the superintendent candidates outside of the interview process. I plan to strictly follow the interview schedule as provided to us by McPherson & Jacobson. That schedule is posted on the LRSD website www.lrsd.org.
I appreciate your support of our district.
