Following conflicts with state school board members, mishandled public relations, and clashes with respected organizations such as the PTA, it would have been understandable if Linda C. Schrenko had chosen not to seek another term as Georgia’s schools superintendent. However, that’s not Schrenko’s style. A former teacher and principal, she is a conservative Republican who caused a stir in the state in 1994 when she defeated the Democratic incumbent by promising to cut bureaucracy and give parents more control over their local schools. Schrenko, now 49, successfully ran for re-election last year, driven by her desire to prove to her critics that her initial victory was not a fluke. She wanted to show that a woman Republican who refused to pander to the education establishment could succeed.
She is well-qualified for her role, holding a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Augusta College (1972), a master’s degree in counseling from Georgia Southern University (1982), and an education specialist’s degree in administration and supervision from Augusta State University (1986). Schrenko initially worked as a teacher from 1972 to 1982, with the majority of her time spent at South Columbia Elementary School in Columbia County, Georgia. She then transitioned to roles as a counselor, assistant principal, and eventually principal of South Columbia Elementary School from 1986 to 1990. From 1990 to 1994, she worked as an education consultant. She is married to Frank Schrenko and has a daughter named Katherine.
Schrenko’s determination and refusal to conform to the expected norms have defined her tenure as schools superintendent. She explains that she is seen as an outsider who challenges the system, not one who seeks peace and harmony. Her first two years in office were characterized by combative monthly state board meetings, so turbulent that then-Governor Zell Miller, a Democrat, requested the resignation of all board members, most of whom he had himself chosen. This allowed the governor to appoint new members who were more willing to cooperate with Schrenko. One of these new members was Johnny Isakson, a Republican and former state senator. Isakson served as chairman and worked alongside Schrenko in rewriting the state’s core curriculum and raising graduation standards. Attendees of the board meetings noticed a significant improvement in the way business was conducted.
However, circumstances have changed. Isakson is now in Congress, Miller is no longer in office, and the new Democratic governor, Roy Barnes, is pursuing his own education reform agenda. This has left many, including Schrenko herself, uncertain about her place and the security of her position. Governor Barnes has replaced four state board members and formed a 64-member commission that will address four major education issues: accountability, funding, school safety and discipline, and the establishment of a cohesive system from preschool to college.
There were doubts about whether Schrenko would even be invited to serve on the commission, which held its first meeting last week. Even though she was included, she remains skeptical about the recommendations the group will make. She worries that it could either genuinely be a reform commission or just a facade for a power grab aimed at removing her from office. Schrenko refers to the governor’s mention of the "Kentucky model" of school reform, which refers to the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990. This act eliminated the duties of the elected superintendent and significantly reduced the position’s salary. The responsibilities were transferred to a new education commissioner appointed by the state school board.
After the May meeting of the Georgia state board, where many of Miller’s appointees attended for the last time, Schrenko expressed her discontent with the changes implemented by Governor Barnes. She felt "almost wounded" by the alterations made to the board.
Some individuals who have collaborated with Ms. Schrenko claim that her challenges are partially due to the establishment’s reluctance to embrace change. "Ms. Schrenko is incredibly easy to work with, as long as you have that mindset," stated Representative Isakson, who was elected to the congressional seat previously held by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. "Cooperation is a mutual effort."
Repairing Relationships
Apart from the PTA, the superintendent has also approached other groups with caution. Soon after her initial election, Ms. Schrenko disassociated herself from the Council of Chief State School Officers because the organization opposed Republican-supported initiatives to abolish the U.S. Department of Education. She has been skeptical of federal programs like Goals 2000 because she believes they come with excessive restrictions. According to Ms. Schrenko, she faced animosity from representatives of various educator groups within the state right from the start. Teachers, she claimed, would invite her to their schools only to retract the invitation later because of directives from school principals or local superintendents. However, Terry Jenkins, the incoming executive director of the Georgia School Superintendents Association, described the situation differently. He explained that the relationship between local superintendents and the state chief was strained because she often bypassed district central offices and sent information about grants or programs directly to the schools.
Mr. Jenkins argued that Ms. Schrenko politicized matters that had previously not been subject to political division. "Whenever someone expressed concern, they were labeled as being from the opposing party," he said. "We had never encountered such a situation." Although some local superintendents still refuse to cooperate with the state department, Mr. Jenkins acknowledged the need to find common ground with Ms. Schrenko. He noted that many of the superintendents who initially rejected her have now retired or left office since the switch in 1996 from a combination of elected and appointed local superintendents to solely appointed chiefs. "I could easily visit 10 schools a day," claimed Ms. Schrenko. When not in the state capital, she spends her time either on her farm in Appling, near the town of Augusta in eastern Georgia, or traveling across the state to visit schools, speak at Rotary Club meetings, and occasionally attend PTA events.
A Strong Emphasis on Educators
The superintendent’s downtown Atlanta office features white couches adorned with embroidered pillows depicting basset hounds, a breed she has been rescuing and placing in foster homes for a decade. She owns seven of these dogs at her home, along with various other animals. However, her busy schedule and the necessity to live in Atlanta during the week leave her with little time at home. As superintendent, she takes immense pride in Reading First, a program now implemented in approximately 600 out of the state’s roughly 1,000 elementary schools. While the final evaluation results are not expected until September, Ms. Schrenko revealed that there has been an improvement in scores on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills since the introduction of Reading First.
According to many observers, her turbulent relationship with the news media is a clear demonstration of her lack of understanding. "She needs to realize that when you hold an elected position, your words will be interpreted differently by different individuals," explained Gary Ashley, executive director of the Georgia School Boards Association. Despite any setbacks, Ms. Schrenko does not have any intentions to leave the political arena just yet. She stated that only under the circumstances of "death or a constitutional amendment" would she step down before her term ends. Although she may not run for superintendent again, a position she retained with 49.6 percent of the vote in a three-way race last year, she is confident that she will pursue another political role in 2002.
The outcome of the governor’s commission will play a significant role in shaping her future. If Governor Barnes intends to render her position powerless, Ms. Schrenko is already attempting to garner support from the legislature. Some speculators have suggested that the governor aims to consolidate all education boards in the state under a single authority, considering that the leaders of those departments are appointed. Ron Newcomb, the governor’s education aide, clarified that there is no concealed motive and no plans to create a commissioner’s position. "We are committed to fostering a positive relationship with her," he reassured. "It is crucial for the education of children in this state that the governor and the superintendent collaborate." Certain observers view the commission as an opportunity, not only for the state to enhance its schools but also for Ms. Schrenko to work as part of a team. "I hope she will make use of the collective brilliance of the group," remarked Wendy Martin, a school board member from Lee County who serves on the commission. "Currently, I would like to believe that the past does not truly matter."
