Sep 12, 2008 8:18 pm US/Eastern
Carvalho Accepts Miami-Dade Superintendent Offer
Rudy Crew's Contract Was Bought Out Earlier This Week
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Miami-Dade school superintendent Alberto Carvalho is applauded by supporters shortly after accepting the superintendent's job
CBS
Alberto Carvalho announced on Friday that he accepted an offer to be the new Superintendent of the Miami-Dade School system. He made the announcement at a news conference around 1:30 p.m. Friday afternoon before a crowd that applauded his entrance and gave him a standing ovation after the announcement was made official.
"I have made it known to the board members that I am ready to accept the challenges, the job, the demand and the criticism and above all the duty and the responsibility of protecting children, teachers, principals, support staff in this community," said Carvalho.
"It is my intent to mend the fences that need to be mended, to build bridges where they need to be built, to speak to those who do not believe yet, to reinforce the beliefs of those who already believe, to encourage those who don't care to care and those who do not know, to know more about what public education in Miami-Dade represents." He went on, "There is but one place in America today where Democracy is fostered and that is the classroom."
Parents who attended today's announcement, didn't seem to be concerned with any of the allegations floating around Carvalho, instead saying their kids futures are their prime focus. Some parents believe Carvalho can help there.
"He will do the right thing," said Karen Rivo. Her opinion was shared by Leslie Collen. "I've worked with him," Collen said, "and his private life is his private life."
Carvalho, who earlier in the day turned down an offer from Pinellas County to lead its school district, emphasized that the children will come first.
"Regardless of difficulty or challenge, I will serve in this position with the utmost honor and respect for the children and the people who fight for them every day." In addition, he said he understands not all of the Miami-Dade School Board members support him as boss of the fourth largest public school district in the country, but he will work to try and change that. "I want to bring unity to the School Board, the school system and ultimately to our community," said Carvalho.
While not releasing the terms of the deal, Carvalho told CBS4 early Friday that his contract would be for less money than the $325,000 a year paid to Rudy Crew and would be for fewer years than the four year deal Crew negotiated.
Asked if the deal was for three years at somewhere between $250,000 and $275,000, Carvalho said the numbers were in the ballpark.
"I recognize the situation the school district is in, so trying to match Rudy's salary was not as important to me as making sure I had enough time to overcome the challenges this district is facing," he said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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