Front-runner emerges for Oakland Schools job

The Oakland Intermediate School District has a first choice for the interim superintendent position.

The board was impressed Thursday night by the experience and reputation of George Woons, an education consultant from Grand Rapids.

But because of the district's tumultuous history, Woons said Thursday he wouldn't accept the position without first meeting with staff and local superintendents.

"Given what's happened, I need to know if they're willing to work with someone from the outside," he said. Board members said they will plan that meeting for next week.

Woons said Thursday he would not want to be interim superintendent past March 2004, and board members said they wanted to encourage expediting the search.

"I'm concerned because we may or may not be finished by the end of March," said board member Janet Thomas. "But I don't think we have a whole lot of options right now."

During the interview, board members told Woons they expect allegiance from the next interim superintendent, especially in light of an ongoing probe into district spending.

Having held the top job with the Kent Intermediate School District in Grand Rapids from 1984 to 2001, Woons emphasized his experience.

He also said one of his strengths is bringing people together and knowing how to pick his battles.

"You have to know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away, know when to run," he said, quoting a Kenny Rogers song as the small audience chuckled. Woons said he would work at helping the district move forward and restore its reputation instead of focusing on its past.

On Tuesday, the board interviewed Kenneth Walcott for the interim job. Walcott of Muskegon works part time as an education consultant.

The candidates are applying to fill the job vacated by Dan Austin, whom the board demoted on Monday. Austin, who was put back into his role as deputy superintendent, had served as interim superintendent since February.

Austin is the husband of Randi Austin, vice president of the Detroit Newspapers, the company that oversees business operations for the Free Press and Detroit News.