By Jennifer Mrozowski
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Parents and community members on Thursday got their first shot at grilling new Cincinnati Schools superintendent Alton Frailey on everything from poor student achievement to crumbling school buildings.

B.J. Southall of Corryville asks Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Alton Frailey a question at the Urban League on Reading Road. The exchange came during a reception Thursday. (Brandi Stafford photos) | ZOOM |

At a reception for the new superintendent in Avondale, they learned the Texas educator doesn't like when people focus on minutiae and their own agenda instead of working collectively to benefit children.

"A school system is only as good as the community is willing to make it," he said. "We must confirm exactly what it is you guys want - collectively."

Mr. Frailey held a question-and-answer session during the reception for him organized by the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati and Cincinnati Parents for Public Schools. The forum, which was the first time the public had a chance to question him, is intended to be the first of several interactive meetings throughout the year to allow the public to address their concerns with Mr. Frailey.

The new superintendent has been on the job a week. He takes the helm of the 41,200-student struggling district on the heels of a stinging - but narrow - bond issue defeat that would have helped pay for an unprecedented school construction project. Mr. Frailey comes from a suburban Houston school district, where he was assistant superintendent.

During the forum, some asked him if the school board plans to continue with the first phase of the planned $1 billion building project that would've been financed in part from the failed bond issue. Despite the bond issue loss Nov. 5, the school board has enough money to pay to renovate and rebuild 17 schools that made up the first phase.

Alton Frailey: "A school system is only as good as the community is willing to make it." | ZOOM |

Mr. Frailey told the audience the board has not decided what to do about phase one, but he emphasized that the need to rebuild schools remains.

B.J. Southall, a Corryville resident with three of her eight children in the district's schools, asked the superintendent how he planned to get more parents involved in improving the district.

"Far too often, teachers have to deal with the problems children are bringing to school," she said.

Mr. Frailey said he wants parents like Ms. Southall to identify their goals, develop a shared vision and support the school system.

As he did often during the reception, Mr. Frailey hearkened back to his Texas upbringing, where he grew up in a family of eight children in a three-room home. There, he had the support of parents and family friends.

"I grew up in the country, and when things went wrong, the adults came around."

Mr. Frailey said Cincinnati schoolchildren need similar support from parents and the community.

Ruth Coon, one of the founding members of East End Community Heritage School, asked Mr. Frailey if he supports charter schools like the one she helped organize. The East End school is sponsored by the Cincinnati school district.

"My commitment is to children," he said. "It matters not to me the forum we use to serve children as long as we serve them well."

He said he's not opposed to charter schools and, in fact, launched one in the Spring Branch (Texas) Independent School District, where he worked. The district-sponsored charter school Westchester Academy for International Studies, opened in 2000 for grades 6 through 10 on a 38-acre campus.

Audience members also learned Mr. Frailey wants to seek input from students. When 16-year-old Virtual High School student Derrick Blassingame asked him if the new chief will listen to student councils, Mr. Frailey said he wants to start a student leadership group.

He also told the group he looks forward to working with the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers union and has developed a positive relationship with union leadership.

As Mr. Frailey talked about developing partnerships with city leaders, the teachers union, parents and students, the audience responded with amens.

One man told Mr. Frailey the honeymoon period may not last long as the new superintendent learns of the district's problems and persistent low student achievement.

Mr. Frailey said he's becoming familiar with the challenges that have plagued past administrations and said he'll face them head on.

"The best way to get rid of the roaches and make them scatter is to turn the light on," he said.

E-mail jmrozowski@enquirer.com