DPS board member’s critiques not in Superintendent Corr’s evaluation

DAYTON — Attorneys for embattled Dayton Public Schools Superintendent Rhonda Corr said she only had good reviews from the board.

>> Corr’s attorney’s strike back, say board’s allegations are weak

But one board member said it’s not entirely true. John McManus said he had objections in October to the board’s glowing evaluation for Corr.

She was placed on paid leave last week amid allegations she was sleeping during contract talks, berated administrators and received death benefits for a domestic partner while legally married to someone else.

>> Superintendent gets glowing evaluation from Dayton school board

McManus said he wrote early drafts of Corr’s review that were more balanced. It graded her as “meets expectations” in most categories, but graded her lower in personnel management.

However, his critiques were not included in the evaluation presented to Corr, whose attorneys said she had no idea the board had problems with her.

“There was a performance evaluation that was submitted by the committee on Oct. 3 that applauded Rhonda Corr for changing the fundamental structure of the Dayton School systems,” lawyer Jon Paul Rion said during a Wednesday news conference.

>> What Dayton school board said about new superintendent

Last month, McManus said he was displeased with the final evaluation. His draft states Corr needs improvement following through on commitments, accepting responsibility and not blaming others. It also lists needing improvement cooperating with opposing views, mediating disputes, being alert to sensitive issues, and seeing the big picture.

While McManus’ negative comments were not included in Corr’s evaluation, several of those concerns are now the focus of Corr’s pre-disciplinary hearing.

McManus said Wednesday he was unable to say more about the hearing.

“I really wish that I could speak on the record about some of these things but the board has been asked to withhold comment on the current situation and I have to honor that as a member of the board,” he said. “But what I will say though is that I stand by every single word that I said to your network a month ago about the evaluation process.”