One of the two remaining New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corp. superintendent candidates took to the schools Monday to introduce herself and answer questions from the staff and community.

Cathlin Gray, who is the associate superintendent for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp., first stopped at Fairmont Elementary School, where about 30 people, mostly school employees, listened as she answered written and impromptu questions from audience members, dealing with everything from relationships with teacher unions to how to rid Floyd County of the rivalry between Floyd Central and New Albany high schools.



WORKING AS A TEAM

Barbara Bridgwater, with Youth Count, said she submitted the first written question, asking how the community can help schools achieve.

Gray said her formal title at Evansville is associate superintendent for family and school partnerships and said working together is vital in achieving the goal of educating students.

“Schools can’t do this work alone. We just can’t,” Gray said, standing close to the front row of audience members, forgoing the set up podium. “Kids come through those doors with other things they need taken care of.”

Gray said during a previous interview that her job requires her to assist in linking community services to those students who need them, among other things.

At Fairmont, Gray talked about how she worked as a principal to help turn the school around from being one of the lowest performing ones in the district. She said it took engaging the community and asking what they needed in addition to those with the school to achieve the end result.



EARNING A DIPLOMA

When asked about what she would do to help improve the graduation rates, Gray talked about how districts need to stop trying to force students to fit the mold of traditional or alternative school settings and create those to fit the student, such as by having virtual educational opportunities and more.



BARGAINING A CONTRACT

Gray was also asked about her history in dealing with teacher unions.

She said she is trained in collaborative model and used that until 2003, when some tough budget cuts caused them to go back to the collective bargaining. She said one year a mediator had to come and help them reach an agreement. However, the last couple of years more consensus was reached, yielding a contract, she added.

“It’s really about relationships,” Gray said. “It’s about a lot of dialog and respect on both sides.”



ENDING THE RIVALRY

Gray was told about the long-standing rivalry between the two high schools in the county and was asked how she would end such a tradition.

Gray said that’s a climate issue within the community and said, “surely there’s a willingness of people to come to the table to fix it for the kids.”



MAKING THE TOUGH DECISIONS

The audience also asked Gray is she is able to make the hard decisions.

“I don’t run away from anything,” she answered. “... If that’s what we collectively decide is best to do, then yes, I’m willing to step forward and say this is what’s going to happen.”

Gray added that she is not a micromanager, but she’s also not afraid to do the “hard stuff.”



ABOUT GRAY

Neal Smith, school board president, asked the final question, requesting Gray to say a little about herself, including why she should get the job.

Gray said she has an open door, believes in lots of communication and sees the need for community feedback.

“Really, as school people, we’re servants to the community,” she said. “The educational system is the quality of life in your community.”

She said she bases all of her decisions on doing what’s best for kids.

About herself, she said she has two children — 29-year-old Cathlin Burns and 31-year-old Casey Gray — with her husband, David. She said she and David will have been married 35 years this August.

Gray also met with about 20 people at Highland Hills Middle School later in the afternoon, answering more questions, according to Lee Ann Wiseheart, school board member.



FEEDBACK

Bridgwater said she came to the meeting because children are so important and whoever is the new superintendent will have a huge impact on them.

“I’m blown away honestly,” Bridgwater said. “Her focus is kids and that came through loud and clear and that’s what it needs to be.”

“I’d feel very comfortable if she was named superintendent,” said Mark Kessans, president of the teachers’ association.

Kessans said he can’t say for sure if Gray is his pick, since he hasn’t met the second remaining candidate, Bruce Hibbard.

Hibbard, who is currently the assistant superintendent for the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township, in Indianapolis, will meet the public during two sessions on Wednesday.

Kessans said he plans to be there too.

Rebecca Gardenour, school board vice president, said she was very impressed with Gray.

“From what I’m hearing, this is what the community and teachers are looking for,” Gardenour said. “She’s a good fit. People are impressed with her.”

However, she said she’s looking forward to seeing how people react to Hibbard on Wednesday, saying that he’s “just as awesome.”

Gray and Hibbard are two of 16 people who applied for the open superintendent position. Seven of those were interviewed, according to Dave Rarick, director of safety and public information officer with NA-FC.

The school board hopes to name a new superintendent at a special board meeting Aug. 3.



ABOUT CATHLIN GRAY

Cathlin Gray is currently the associate superintendent for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp., which serves 22,274 students and operates 35 schools.

Gray, who obtained a Ph.D. from Indiana State University in 2006, has experience as a classroom teacher, principal and adjunct professor at the University of Southern Indiana.

From 1985 to 1988, Gray taught grades 1 and 2 at Holy Redeemer Catholic School. Gray taught kindergarten at Cedar Hall Elementary School (EVSC) from 1988-1994. From 1994 to 2000, she served as principal at Cedar Hall Elementary School and from 2000-2003, Gray served as a Supervisor for Title I/ Professional Development in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. She has held her current title, associate superintendent, since 2006.