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Hamilton County Schools superintendent candidate says community involvement is key

By Kendi A. Rainwater June 7, 2017 5 min read

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Candidate for schools chief emphasized importance of community involvement

Superintendent candidate Stuart Greenberg speaks to the crowd gathered for a public meet-and-greet at Hamilton County Schools' central office on Tuesday, June 6, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Greenberg, an educator for 35 years, is one of five finalists for the superintendent position.

Dr. Everlena Holmes addresses superintendent candidate Stuart Greenberg during a public meet-and-greet at Hamilton County Schools' central office on Tuesday, June 6, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Greenberg, an educator for 35 years, is one of five finalists for the superintendent position.

Tennessee Education Association UniServ Coordinator Theresa Turner, right, speaks with Hamilton County Education Association President Dan Liner in between the public meet-and-greet and interview session with superintendent candidate Stuart Greenberg at Hamilton County Schools' central office on Tuesday, June 6, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

School board member Tiffanie Robinson looks on as superintendent candidate Stuart Greenberg answers her question during an interview session at Hamilton County Schools' central office on Tuesday, June 6, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Greenberg, an educator for 35 years, is one of five finalists for the superintendent position.

When it comes to education, Stuart Greenberg believes the community and school district must work as partners.

“Schools are a part of a larger community,” Greenberg said several times during his interview with the Hamilton County Board of Education on Tuesday night.

Greenberg has more than 35 years of experience in education and is the chief academic officer for Leon County Public Schools in Florida, a district of about 34,000 students, about 10,000 fewer than Hamilton County. Before that, he was executive director for Reading and Early Learning for the Florida Department of Education.

He was the second of five superintendent finalists scheduled to interview in-person for the job this week, spending the day touring the district and meeting with central office staff. Each of the finalists also has time scheduled to spend with elected officials, education stakeholders and the community throughout the afternoon, concluding the day with an hour-and-a-half interview with the school board.

Fast facts about Stuart Greenberg

Job: Chief academic officer for Leon County Public SchoolsHighest level of education: Masters of Science in Educational Leadership from Nova University, 1988