Fort Bend Independent School District Superintendent Betty Baitland was turned away in her recent bid to become superintendent of Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville, Florida.
A former executive at Walt Disney World and superintendent from Delaware was the sole candidate selected to continue the Duval interview process.
In the midst of growing conflict with the Board of Trustees in Fort Bend over emerging management issues and falling school district ratings, Baitland allowed her name to be placed into contention for the Florida job in late August.
One of five finalists interviewed earlier this month, Baitland’s performance was panned by Duval County officials. She received a poor evaluation based on her interview, according to Jacksonville newspaper reports. Interview panelists said she did not seem to have researched Duval County and was vague in her responses. One board member went so far as to say, “I’m afraid this board would eat her alive.”
At Monday night’s board meeting back home, Baitland tried to make light of the situation. “I was not offered that job in Florida,” Baitland told the audience. “I did not seek that job, and I want you to understand, I don’t have any interest in seeking any job in any other district.
“In commenting about me,” she continued, “one of the board members in Florida said that I had not done my homework and I think that is probably a fair comment, because I didn’t conduct more than a superficial Internet review of their district and their state laws. Another comment was made that I was too nice, and that the (Florida) board would eat me alive. I thought that comment suggests that they didn’t do their homework.”
Baitland, who has been with FBISD since 1977, was named superintendent in April 2001. She recently extended her contract with FBISD through 2009, but has announced plans to retire as early as the end of 2006.
