Sunday, March 29, 2009
Editorial: County shouldn't hire behind closed doors
Let the public help choose Montgomery County's new administrator and superintendent.
From the RoundTable blog
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Montgomery County is hiring new leaders, and the public should have a say in who gets the job.
First, a quick refresher on local government. Montgomery County, like many others, uses an administrator form of government. What that means is the board of supervisors makes policy decisions and approves spending. Meanwhile, a county administrator oversees day-to-day operations. The staff reports to him, and he reports to the supervisors.
It's the same with the schools. The school board hires a superintendent to manage operations.
Right now, Montgomery County must fill both positions. County Administrator Clay Goodman left for Roanoke County, and Superintendent Tiffany Anderson will leave for Missouri at the end of the school year.
The county is already wading through applications for an administrator, and school officials have begun their hiring process.
Legally, the boards can do everything behind closed doors, but that would be a disservice to the citizens they serve. Before either body offers the job to anyone, they should involve the public. Whomever they hire will help shape services and taxes that affect all residents.
Some secrecy is appropriate. If every applicant's name were announced, qualified applicants would be scared off lest their current employers find out they are looking for a new job.
Once officials have narrowed the field to two or three finalists, that privilege should end. So far into the process, if applicants are serious about the job, they should be willing to let their current employers know. Most governments are professional enough to respond appropriately, not vindictively.
When those finalists come to town for interviews, the county should let the public review their résumés and even meet them. Hold a moderated public meeting at which citizens can ask questions or at least conduct some of the interviews in open meetings.
Then, once the applicants leave, listen to the public's opinions about the candidates. The decision would remain in the hands of the boards, but if the public has a chance to weigh in, there would be far less room for complaints.
Hiring the top administrator is perhaps the biggest decision supervisors and school board members make. They should not do it without checking with their bosses.
