.
ERIC VJILLIAMS
CURRENT POSITION:
Assistant Superintendent Learning Support Services;
Collier: County Public Schools; Naples, FL
DISTRICT ENROLLMENT:
43/000 Students
BUDGET:
$1 Billion; $40 Million Instructional
Ed,D" Boston University, Boston, MA
M,A" Harvard University, Boston, MA
B.A" William and Mary University, Williamsburg, VA
1.
Have you applied for any other jobs?
Yes.
2.
What is your status for those jobs?
Interviewing
in approximately the same time frame as Knox County.
If offered this job and any other would you take this one?
Knox County would be the preference depending upon timing and contract.
What is your current contract status? Are you under a multi-year contract at the
present time? If so, what y~ar of the multi-year contract are you in? (Must answer
each
question)
:
Yes
Through 2009
5.
Has the Board offered to renew your contract?
If so, for how long?
Contract to be reviewed next year f but expect continuation indefinitely.
6.
Have you ever been bought out of a contract and if yes when and why?
No
"7
I.
Are there any situations involving you, that we need to know about, which may impact
your application for this position? If so, would you elaborate?
No
This is tht prtlptrty of ROy Rnd A550ciRt!S, Inc., R~ is Vl,()tiVLttndtcl for cluplicRtioVl-or clistributioVl- without ptrmissioVl-.
EDUCATION:
3.
4.
..
12.
13.
...
8.
Do you anticipate any problems being released from your current contract?
would be the earliest date for a release?
No problems anticipated.
When
I
July 1, or before.
Superintendent very supportive.
9.
What experience have you had in working in a fast growing community?
Collier County student population is growing very rapidly.
Migrant population is growing rapidly.
Went from four (4) to seven (7) high schools in a period of seven (7) years.
As a principal, high school enrollment went from 1,700 to 3;300.
Do you have any problem with our firm contacting individuals other than those
references you have identified? If candidate's answer yes, ask why?
No
How would you involve the community in your vision for Knox County Schools?
Would be an active participant in the communities -visible and accessible.
Willing to listen and learn while at the same time promote understanding through
accurate communication.
Since communication with
superintendent of schools,
all publics is a very important responsibility of the
how will you work with the media to carry out this
responsibility?
I
As leader, take the initiative to relate strategic plan and the district vision along
with progress being made.
Encourage all staff, students and parents to do the same regarding their respective
schools.
Must have active website, "TVand radio spots and conduit with the press in straight
talk.
What is your vision regarding construction
and maintenance of facilities in a school
district?
Very involved in rapid growth issues in Collier County.
Has been implemental in installing (by lease) portable buildings while construction
underway.
Must balance resources by priority to ensure efficient, effective instruction.
14.
What about Knox County Schools do you find enticing and challenging?
Reputation.
Location in Tennessee
Challenges to be faced in the improvement of instruction.
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il"-ttnat;ti for duplictltiox. or distributiox. withoutptnuissiox..
...
..
15.
What do you consider
achievement gap?
the! greatest
challenges
and obstacles
to
closing
the
Growth in the migrant population.
Must celebrate incremental gains in both individual students and schools achievement is not linear.
Development of rigorous, dhallenging curriculum and delivery that is appropriate at
all levels.
Have you had direct experience in narrowing the academic achievement gap?
Yes. This is a primary role in current position.
Significant academic growth among migrant students.
17.
What is your understanding of the reform of public education in America?
Business and industry need a reliable, trained workforce, thus focusing on school
performance.
Accountability is foremost. I
Have you had experience in working with students and parents in a challenged school
environment?
"' II
Yes. EspeciallySESand minority diversity.
Trilingual (Portuguese and Spanish).
19.
What do you see as a Principal's job in the school?
Must
Must
Must
Must
20.
be an instructional leader who is able to report progress convincingly.
have high expectations of staff and students
be able to balance operations with instructional effectiveness.
facilitate climate and high morale.
Describe a good board-superintendent
relationship.
Must get to know each board member well and his/her desired communication
needs.
Based upon a "Team of Ten".
Key is communication.
I
21.
How do you feel about shared decision making (school-based management)?
Autonomy must be based upon the shared vision.
22.
In your experience, what factors have been most effective
resources to maintain quality learning programs for students?
in managing
district
Must have a serious attitude from the central office regarding support for those
who are doing the actuai instruction.
Instruction must be the focus.
Resources are provided to support academic priorities.
This is the property of Ray ana' Associntes, /V£C.,
ana'1:5 Jll.()t[Mena'ed for dupticat£oill-or distribut£oill- without permissioill-.
...
23.
As superintendent
of schools,
communication with the staff?
how will
you
establish
and
maintain
effective
Transparent communication.
Visible and accessible.
24.
Why are you interested in leaving your present position?
To accept the challenge of academics and operations of a quality school division.
Professional advancement in a desirable location.
Desire to work in a com~unity that is poised to move from very good to world
class.
25.
Any other pertinent information listed by the candidate.
Anxious to develop a strategic plan that focuses on student performance as well as
enhanced environmental qualities.
REFERENCES:
Dr. Michele Labute, CEO, Collier County Schools, FL
Dr. Ray Baker, Former Superintendent, Collier County, FL
Dr. Mike Reagen, President, Naples Chamber of Commerce, FL
Mrs. Kathleen Curatolo, Member, Collier County School Board, FL
Additionalreferenceswerecontactedby the consultant.
This is the property ofR.PY Ilnd Assoeiate.s, 1111,(;.,
llJ'!;{A'isMt intended for tiupLietitiol". or tiistributiol". without ptrvu.tssio"".
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to apply for the position of Superintendentof the Knox County School
System. The challenge of providing strong ins1ructionalleadershipwhile also skillfully
managing operational matters greatly interestsme.
My experiencesas an Interim Superintendent,Assistant Superintendent,Principal,
Assistant Principal, and teacherhave prepared me for the Superintendentposition. As
Interim Superintendentof a school district with 42,000 students,I focused staff attention
on successfully finalizing preparations for the opening of schools in a politically volatile
atmosphere. As an Assistant Superintendentsupervising twenty-two principals of middle
schools and high schools serving 24,000 students, I effectively addressedopemtional
matters relating to human resources,budgets, capital improvements, and facilities
maintenance,while also providing instructional leadership on initiatives pertaining to
literacy, the high school schedule format, and engaging studentsin rigorous work.
As Principal of Gulf Coast High School, I skillfully managedthe operationsof a fastgrowing school with 3,000 studentsand thirty-seven portables. The efficiency of school
operationsallowed us to focus on teaching and learning, thereby improving our state
school grade from a C to an A. We implemented a reading- and writing-across-thecurriculum initiative that yielded significant gains for our most struggling readers. While
maintaining the highest mean Advanced Placement score among the district's sevenhigh
schools, we also greatly increasedthe number of studentstaking Advanced Placement
courses,including many studentsfrom groups traditionally underrepresentedin honors
and Advanced Placement courses.
My stronginterpersonalskills andcollaborativeleadershipstyle allow me to createa
positiveclimateand developa sharedvision of teachingandlearning. A high energy
level anda commitmentto excellenceenableme to effectivelyfocuson instructional
matterswhile alsomanagingoperationalissues.
I hope to have the opportunity to use these experiencesand talents as Superintendentof
the Knox County Sc~ool System. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
& .J)J;k
Eric Williams. Ed.D.
Professional
Experience
COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Naples, FL
Assistant Superintendent, Learning Suppo~t Services, September 2007 to present
Provide organizational and instructional leadership in the development and implementation of a comprehensive,systemwide instructional plan. Create procedures and proposedpolicies relating to pre-k through grade 12 instructional issues.
Interim Superintendent, August 2007
Managed 42,OOO-smdent
school district during transition. Finalized preparations for successful start of the school year.
Devised and implemented board-supported action plan to revise secondary procedures and policies.
Assistant Superintendent, Secondary Schools, August 2005 to July 2007
Supervised 22 principals of middle schools and high schools serving 24,000 students. Served as liaison between
schools and district departments on academic and operational matters,'including capital improvements and facilities
maintenance. Won board support for recommendations on topics such as block schedule, student progression plan, and
student travel. Served on district oversight teams for schools focused on Adequate Yearly Progressrequirements.
Principal, Gulf Coast High School, July 2002to July 2005
Providedinstrucrionalleadership
for a schoolcommunityof3,000 studentsand 180+staff members.Improvedstate
schoolgradefrom C to an A. Emphasizedacatlemicrigor for all students.ExpandedAdvancedPlacement
course
offeringsand enrollmentwhile maintainingth~ district's highestmeanscore. Increasedscholarshipsearnedby
graduatingseniorsto morethan $8,000perstudent.Promotedreading-andwriting-across-the-curriculum.
Strengthened
CareerAcademies.Managed$1;1 million non-personnel
budget.
Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction, Lely High .school, February 2000 to June 2002
Oversaw master schedule, assessment,and pro'fessionaldevelopment. Facilitated increase in number of students
participating in dual enrollment courses,Adv~ced Placement courses, and Laureate Program. Created Law and
Criminal Justice Academy.
Principal, Naples-area High School Summer Program (2100 students), March 1999 to August 1999
Assistant Principal, Attendance and Disciplilne, Gulf Coast High School, July 1998 to January 2000
Attendance and Discipline services rated a 5 (on a 1to 5 scale) by 71% of teachers. Created effective attendanceand
discipline procedures for a new school. Organized academic awards ceremony and schoolwide writing initiative,
including professional development. Managed Plant Operator and Head Custodian. Wrote staff handbook.
Dean, Barron Collier High School, August rg97 to June 1998
'
Responsible for
discipline of tenth grade studemts.Facilitated creation and use of rubric for math lab reports.
.
Organized professional development.
SALEM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Salem,MA
AssistantPrincipal, Collins Middle School,January 1996to August 1997
Workedwith teamsof teachersto developinterdisciplinarycurriculumunits that includedessentialquestions,
understandings,
and skills, as well as assessme~t
rubrics. Oversawoperationsof a school-within-a-school.Servedas a
memberof an InternationalBaccalaureate
Visitation/Studyteam.
CHELSEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Chelsea, MA
Coordinator, Restructuring, Chelsea High School, September to December 1995
Facilitated development of schools-within-a-school, including career academies. Coordinated school-to-career
initiatives. Revised budgeting, student recruitment, and enrollment policies. Supervised leaders of restructuring.
Coordinator (Director), Pathway School, Chelsea High School, September 1994 to August 1995
Led enhancementof an interdisciplinary, project-based curriculum with graduation by exhibition. Promoted
community atmosphere by encouraging close student-teacherrelationships, team teaching, and staff involvement in
decision-making. Implemented marketing plan to attract students. Taught Social Studies.
Assistant Principal ad lIlteriln, Chelsea High School, July 1993 to August 1994
Oversaw masterschedule. Chaired committee that developed a block schedule with common planning time. Supervised
and evaluatedteachers. Managed the $700,000 discretionary budget. Responsible for discipline of ninth grade, tenth
grade, and Spanish-speakingstudents. Expanded student activities. Oversaw dropout prevention program.
Teacher, Chelsea High School, Summer 1994
.
TaughtEarly AmericanHistory to recently-immigrated
students.Designedinstructionto meetthe needsof English
languagelearners.Developedliterature-based
historycurriculum. Organizedbiweeklyfield trips.
Grants Writer, BostonUniversity/ChelseaPartnership, July 1992to June 1993
Wrote competitiveproposalsthat won$1,000,000for a schooldistrict of 4,000students.Awarded$300,000U.S.
Innovationin Educationgrant. Strengthened
partnershipbetweenthe schoolsystemand a university. Createdpre-K
throughgrade 12professionaldevelopment,studentenrichment,and curriculumreformprograms.
LINGUEX LANGUAGE SCHOOL
SaoPaulo,Brazil
ESL Coordinator and Teacher,1989to 1990
TaughtESOL. SupervisedESOLinstructors.OversawMasterSchedule.HelpeddevelopESOLcurriculum.
JAMES MADISON HIGH SCHOOL
Fairfax County)VA
Teacher)1988to 1989
TaughtAmericanHistoryand AmericanGovernment.Hostedguestspeakers,
including PresidentGeorgeBush.
CQa~hed
indoorandoutdoortrack. Servedassophomoreclasssponsor.Mentoredan at-riskstudent.
VIRGINIA'S SECRETARY OF EDUCAT~ON
Richmond,VA
Governor's Fellow, Summer 1988
Researched
policiesregardingincreasingminority college enrollmentand useof the schoolmealprogram.
Education
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Boston,MA
Ed.D. in Administration, Training, and Policy Studies, February 1997
Dissertation entitled The Senseof CommunitY in a Schoo1-within-a-School
Coursework included cumculum analysis, supbrvision, and program evaluation classes
PassedComprehensive Exam with Highest Hdnors
Member, Pi Lamba Theta, Education Honor SOciety
ResearchAssociate, School-within-a-School project
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Cambridge, MA
JOHN F. KENNEDY SCHOOL OF GOVE~NMENT
Master in Public Policy, May 1992
Education and Social Policy Concentration
Coursework included education, technology, budgeting, and accounting classes
Thesis entitled Involvin!! Isolated Parents: Strate!!ies for School-Based Familv Centers
1992 Robert F. Kennedy Award for Distinguished Public Service
Founder and Coordinator of a partnership between the Kennedy School of Government and an elementary school
Founder and Teacherof a high school summer program at the Kennedy School of Government
THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM
AND MAtv
Williamsburg, VA
Bachelor of Arts with Honors, June 1988
History Major, Education Minor
Thesis entitled Struggle and Strife: ProDosedMetroDolitan School Consolidation in Richmond.
Executive Vice-President, William and Mary Student Government
Member, Phi Alpha Beta, History Honor Soci~ty
Member, Mortar Board Society and Omicron Delta Kappa, Honor Societies recognizing outstanding service, leadership,
scholarship, and character
Attended University of Arica, Chile, Summer 1987
"Foreign
Languages
Conversant in Spanishand Portuguese
Community
Involvement
& Professional
Associations
Board ofDirecto~, LeadershipCollier Foundation,GreaterNaplesChamberof Commerce,August2006to present
Graduate,Leade~hipInstitute,GreaterNaplesChamberof Commerce,May 2007
Graduate,Leade~hipCollier, GreaterNaplesChamberof Commerce,May 2005
President,Boardof Directors.NaplesYouth SoccerClub. March 2007to present(following four otheryearsof service)
Member,SACS/CASIAccreditationVisiting Teams
Currentor formermember,AmericanAssociationof SchoolAdministrators,Associationfor Supervisionand
CurriculumDevelopment,Florida Associationof SchoolAdministrators
SoccerCoach,NaplesYouth SoccerClub. YMCA, and OptimistClub. 2000to 2005
Member.Boardof Directors,Boys & Girls Club of GreaterSalem,February1996to August 1997
Certification
EducationalLeadershipcertification,Florida(eligible for Superintendent
certificationin otherstates,pending)
Principaland SocialStudiesTeachercertification,Grades9-12, Massachusetts
Referencesfor Eric Williams
Michele Labute
Chief Operating Officer
Collier County Public Schools
5775 OsceolaTrail
Naples, FL 34109
239-377-0210 (w)
239-465-9388 (c)
239-947-2214(h)
Ray Baker
former Superintendent, Collier County Public Schools
184 Oakwood Court
Naples, FL 34110
239-566-2496 (h)
Dr. Cynthia Janssen
former Chief Academic Officer
Collier County Public Schools
5775 OsceolaTrail
Naples, FL 34109
239-377-0211 (w)
239-287-6995 (c)
Dr. Mike Reagen
President
Greater Naples Chamber of Commer e
2990 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, FL 34103
239-403-2904 (w)
239-595-5616 (c)
Martha Hayes
Chief Instructional Officer
Collier County Public Schools
5775 Osceola Trail
Naples, FL 34109
239-377-0001 (w)
Kathleen Curatolo
Member, District School Board of Collier County
5775 Osceola Trail
Naples, FL 34109
239-514-2172 (h)
239-357-3257 (c)