Dear Source:
Governor De Jongh was elected on the basis of being the person who was going to make a difference, who was not going to allow things to stay the same old same old. One of those differences specifically was to try to hire the best and the brightest that he could find in order to effect the changes that he viewed as required. After what apparently was an exhaustive search he nominated Dr. Spampinato as our new Commissioner of Education. This nomination was made because she was the best-qualified person who in the field of education was known to be an agent of change, a turn around specialist. I emphasize the concept of specialist because that is who is required in our situation.
People have noted that there are some on island who were qualified to hold this post. I don't disagree with them. I am sure that there are those in the Department of Education who have a curriculum vitae that would meet the criteria needed for this position but, and here is the big but, they weren't ready to make the changes that are needed or they would have been effecting those changes already. I would also like to note that every educational system in the country–city or state, private or public–conducts national searches to fill such a position. That was what the Governor had done and Dr. Spampinato was our executive's choice.
The Governor in this instance has kept his promise to do the very best he can for the children of our islands. I hope the senators realize this and move Dr. Spampinato's nomination forward and get on with the business of providing our children with the best future that we can.
Michael A. Monagle
St. Croix
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