Questions Surround Dist. 186 Superintendent Candidates

Two finalists are in the running to take over as the head of Springfield Public Schools. The board is looking at Baltimore City Public Schools Administrator Deborah Wortham and Flint, Michigan School Superintendent Walter Milton Jr. But Milton has a past ... The board hopes people can forgive. Doctor Walter Milton has been known for shaking things up in Flint, Michigan schools ... Some say for the better others say for the worse. He just says some people are out to get him. Hes been there for less than two years ... And to get out of a 5 million dollar defecit hes made layoffs .. closed schools and created gender based schools and gifted ones as well. But recently ... He made headlines when he recommended consultant and friend Julius Anthony .. who turned out to be an *accused sexual predator. I talked to Milton on the phone Monday and he said he didnt know at the time and was shocked when he found out. The board then fired Anthony on the spot ... but charges were later dropped. And one District 186 board member says ... During the interview Milton shared this information and she believes hes still a viable candidate to look over your childs education. "This was an honest error that he made and he faced his problems as soon as he found out about it and took the appropriate actions and it seemed like when you make mistakes you face your mistakes you and you address your mistakes that is appropriate response." Said Board President, Cheryl Wise. The other candidate, Wortham has traveled the world as a renown speaker on education and culture. Shes also taught at John Hopkins University. She could not be reached for comment. Youll have a chance to meet the finalists and ask questions this week. And open forum with Doctor Wortham is on Wednesday from 5 to 6 and Doctor Milton on Thursday at the same time in the board room. The board hopes to name a superintendent Wednesday April 11th. ... Which he or she could be getting paid 220 thousand dollars ... Thats about 40 grand more than the current superintendent. Both candidates are African Americans. Doctor Diane Rutledge retires at the end of the year.