Tuesday, May 09, 2000
Job not offered to Kemp
By Andrea Tortora
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — Covington Schools Superintendent James Kemp is no longer a candidate for the top job in Tuscaloosa, Ala., city schools.
Mr. Kemp was one of five candidates for the Tuscaloosa superintendent's job.
On Monday, the Tuscaloosa Board of Education chose to interview one candidate from Limestone, Ala., as well as the woman now serving as interim superintendent, said Shirley Lollar, Tuscaloosa district spokeswoman.
Mr. Kemp has repeatedly said he wants to continue leading the 4,800-student Covington school system. He has led the district — in the midst of state audits of its academics and management practices — for three years.
“I never had communication with the people in Tuscaloosa,” Mr. Kemp said Monday night at a board meeting. “I meet a lot of people and I'm always flattered when my name comes up. I didn't even know I was a candidate until the paper there called me.”
Mr. Kemp was quoted in the Tuscaloosa News as saying “new challenges are what I am seeking.”
The superintendent job in Tuscaloosa — the home city of the University of Alabama — would have been a step up for Mr. Kemp. That district serves 10,000 students.
“The geography, climate, people and traditions make the South a place where I prefer to be,” Mr. Kemp told the Tuscaloosa News last week. “There will no doubt be new challenges there.”
School board member Mike Fitzgerald said he could not fault Mr. Kemp for looking at other job options.
“All of us are always looking for something better,” Mr. Fitzgerald said. “If he finds something he would be happier at then I congratulate him.”
Other board members did not want to comment.
In December, the board extended Mr. Kemp's contract through June 30, 2001.
But that decision was deemed inappropriate by legal counsel.
The December vote was not on the agenda and the vote took place after a November election in which a new board member was elected, but before Jan. 1, when that new member took office, attorneys said.
Board members have said they plan to vote again on that extension at a May 18 meeting. The item is not yet on the agenda for that meeting. Mr. Kemp said board members would need to direct him to add it.
If Mr. Kemp's extended contract is voted down, his term will end June 30.
Law grad, 25, accused of stabbing priest
Law backs priest's secrecy
E-mail from the other side
Debbie Hill free after five years in prison
Air Care copters back in service
Finan backs townships against cities
New program helps AIDS sufferers with drug abuse
No jail given in fatal crash
Crisscross lawns come home
Florida reins in radio contests
GET TO IT
Pig Parade: Pigation
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Group anonymously mounts Pig protest
Auditor seeks mercy for sister
Back-to-back Ludlow fires suspicious
Ballpark overseer going for save
Camp Washington Chili honored in NY
Council to hear power rate plan
County: Cities ought to pay more dispatch costs
Dental records confirm victim ID
Fire department marks 50 years
Job not offered to Kemp
Luken names convention team
Methodists likely to maintain stand against homosexuality
Murdock shares in $265M fee
Oktoberfest driver to appeal 13-year sentence
Students give books on their birthdays
Tristate Digest
Two women sought in robbery of Carthage bank
Union troops to muster again at Camp Dennison
Want work? Come to job fair
Welfare dole winding down
