The Search for Navasota's Superintendent: Just one man's opinion...

Navasota is in an almost strange… unexplainable chapter of prosperity and progress, exciting things are happening or just around the corner, and many things are falling nicely together. One hot topic is the search for a new ISD Superintendent. You know I cannot stay out of any controversy, so I am going to try to make the most brief and diplomatic statement I can…

If Navasota has suffered from one thing the most, it is what I call “interimitis,” my term for too much constant change at the top, to get anything accomplished. Supers, principals, even teachers, and for a time police chiefs, chamber directors, councilmen and city managers. It was killing us. Killing our vision for the future, our competence, our ability to attract long staying problem solvers, who could get us out of that cycle. Thank the Lord, that is changing.

Ask the people who work in our schools, how much the attitudes, dispositions and effectiveness of our school employees, across the board, have improved. Look at our test scores, or the results of State inspections and audits. Navasota has been benefiting from decent to excellent leadership for some time, to be able to enjoy those bragging rights.

When working out at the Moore Farm, I learned a valuable management axiom: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Assistant Superintendant Gesch has showed impressive qualities of leadership and has already taken ownership of this community, this school district, and most importantly our children. He is PROTECTIVE, PROACTIVE, and PROFESSIONAL. I have relaxed my concerns a great deal, knowing we have good people on the job, that will fight for common sense and responsible education.

My wife, a school administrator, and others are encouraged by his steady hand, and have confidence in him, as much as any Superintendent we have ever had. He will be able to go a long way here, because he is genuinely liked.

He has bloomed where he was planted, and has shown growth and maturity on the job… He has GROWN into it. And that is the kind of man we need. He should be hired without further discussion. If he is not, he is a prime candidate to do what he is doing for us, someplace, and it will just be a matter of time before wise headhunterts somewhere acknowledge his character and gifts of leadership, and he is matched with a place that appreciates his abilities.

I hope it is us!