Alton Frailey, the newly named superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools, says it wasn't an easy decision to leave behind Texas.

        Mr. Frailey, 41, the assistant superintendent of Spring Branch Independent School District in suburban Houston, said he has strong ties to the area and acknowledged moving to Cincinnati is a gamble for him and his family.

Frailey

        After all, he grew up on the farms of Texas, went to school there, met his wife there and has raised the couple's three children there.

        “It is a huge gamble, one I don't take lightly,” Mr. Frailey said. “I truly love my children, and will not do anything to harm their future. If I did not believe, based on what I've been told, that Cincinnati is the place where I can raise my family, and the kids will learn and be received by the community, I wouldn't make the move.”

        Mr. Frailey and his wife, Anissa, are active in their Catholic Church; his 11-year-old daughter, Alana, just made the competition team at her dance studio; and his 8-year-old son, Anderson, has a great group of friends he doesn't want to leave.

        Only 5-year-old Austin is undaunted by the move, which the family only learned of Friday.

        A starting date has not been worked out.

        When the seven-member board announced that Mr. Frailey will lead the 42,000-student district, members told him they were committed to doing whatever it takes to raise student achievement.

        In interviews Saturday, over the telephone and later at his Houston home, he made it clear that becoming a superintendent is his calling and that he wants to make an impact in Cincinnati.

        QUESTION: What is your educational philosophy?

        ANSWER: There are three things that are the most important in education: the first is student success. In student success is question one: What is it that we would have students learn? Question two is, how will we know when they've done so? And question three is, what will be our response if they don't?

        The second thing is learning environment. From a facilities standpoint, are they warm, inviting and comfortable. From the emotional standpoint, are the children respected, are they made to feel wanted, are they intellectually challenged.

        The third thing is working environment. Do the teachers have those same attributes? Are the teachers respected, are the teachers made to feel welcome? Are the teachers intellectually challenged.

        Q. The superintendent spot in your district recently was up for grabs. Why did you not apply there?

        A. It was my sense the board wanted to go outside the district. I know I had some colleagues inside who were going to be applying, and I just felt if everyone inside applies, and only one is going to get it, then how's it going to be afterwards? I'm very happy in Spring Branch. I've never applied anywhere. The new superintendent is a tremendously positive person. I was eager to sit down and continue working with her, and then the call (from Cincinnati) was made.

        Q. Why did you decide to come to Cincinnati?

        A. I have known for the past four to five years that I wanted to be a superintendent. It was just a matter of when and where. I got on the Web and began searching. I kept finding things that convinced me in coming to Cincinnati, I'd have a chance to have a positive impact. I really sense the theme of commitment in the community. The size of the district provides plenty of challenges. For my career, I have no desire to uproot my family every two or three or four years. I see it as a place I can raise my family.

        Q: In your research of Cincinnati, what have you seen that's working here?

        A: There is a dialogue going on. The school district is looking to be more data-driven, and be more effective in the things it does. There's truly a desire to be responsive and serve all the children.

        Q. What are the challenges Cincinnati faces?

        A. I don't see a system that is irreparably broken, by any means. The first step has already been taken, that is the dialogue. We're talking about school improvement, and we've accepted in Cincinnati that there are issues in the school system.

        Q. What are some words that best describe you?

        A. Integrity. Sensitive. Committed. Prudent. Trustworthy. Collaborative. And a love of children.

        Q. Are there are any surprises we can expect?

        A. The only surprise will come if, in the community, folks are not committed to what they say they're committed to. If folks are truly committed to children, we're going to get along just fine.

Related stories:
Frailey's arrival eagerly awaited
       

Frailey braces for move to CPS
Frailey's arrival eagerly awaited
Crime falls, jitters intensify in airport vigilance
Cries of anguish, hymns of hope
Church builds 'A Tower of Hope'
Special services focus on healing, hope - and even on forgiveness
Tristate events mark Sept. 11
Three wrecks, two deaths
Carroll: Cash in on casinos
For a few days, all are German
Obituary: Dr. Robert Kalthoff built data tracker
Test exposes leaders' types
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Men only
CROWLEY: Mudslinging
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: A special empathy
SMITH AMOS: Twitty case
Bristol's dancer guilty of prostitution
Prepaid tuition plan finds itself in the red
Chapman hid knife in his shoe