Cape charter head quits for top HR job in Lee Schools
Cape Coral Charter School System Superintendent Angela Pruitt has resigned from her role after a year to become Lee schools' human resources director.
Pruitt, who worked in the school district for 22 years before leaving last July for the charter school, said the opportunity was too good to pass up.
"I absolutely love the system," Pruitt said during a phone interview. "But this unique opportunity came up ... it was a difficult decision, but in terms of my career path, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to apply."
As superintendent for the Cape charters, Pruitt said she sought to unite the four schools within the municipal charter school authority. She said she felt she was successful in helping the system create common goals and philosophies.
Pruitt's last day in the Cape is Aug. 8, and she tentatively begins her new job in the district on Aug. 11. Lee public schools start Aug. 18.
At 3 p.m. Tuesday, the governing board for the charter school system will have a special meeting in council chambers to discuss the charters' transition plan. The meeting is open to the public.
"I hope the positive work and all the employees of the system continues in a positive direction," Pruitt said. "And the strategic plan adopted and developed continues to be the guiding force, if you will, as they meet the challenges of the next few years."
Councilman Lenny Nesta wished Pruitt the best of luck in a letter dated July 24.
"I was saddened to learn of your resignation of the City's charter schools," Nesta wrote. "You have been an excellent leader of the school system and you will be sorely missed."
Pruitt's appointment was contested by three board members at Tuesday night's Lee County school board meeting. Board members Cathleen Morgan, Don Armstrong and Chairman Thomas Scott voiced concerns about Pruitt's qualifications for the job.
"I pulled this item because I wish to state how disappointed I am in your recommendation," Morgan told Superintendent Nancy Graham. "I have no issue with the nominee. This is, however, a position that requires professional expertise in HR management, and I do not believe she has the professional competencies required for the job."
Scott, who on the phone during the meeting because of illness, said he found the appointment "disturbing." He said it was clearly Graham trying to "reassemble the old team."
Graham said she was "a little uncomfortable" discussing the job search in front of the public. She added that the district publicized the job posting in two national journals.
"If you look at her resume, she has been an adjunct professor, she has been on the negotiation team, she understands collective bargaining ... and I would not have made this recommendation were I not confident that she can do this job and do it well," she said.
Pruitt's job description, which the board revised during its May 20 meeting, calls for "seven years' experience of progressively responsible work experience in human resources, and employee/labor relations." Certifications are preferred but not required. Assistant Superintendent of Operations Greg Adkins, who supervises HR, said he did not believe any previous person in the post had additional certifications.
After discussion, the board approved Pruitt's appointment 5-0.
Pruitt told The News-Press last year that she has known Graham for more than 20 years and used to substitute teach in Graham's classroom in the late 1980s.
Job Qualifications:
• Master's degree in human resources, business, education leadership, administration/supervision or a juris doctorate
• Seven-years experience of progressively responsible work experience in human resources, and employee/labor relations. Industry certifications (SPHR, etc.) preffered. High level of supervisory experience preferred.
• Demonstrated skill in continuous improvement processes, interest-based problem solving, and assessment systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of state and federal labor laws/regulation, public employee bargaining, and school personnel law.
• Demonstrated evidence of strong organizational and management skills.
• Demonstrated skill in oral and written communication.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups of people.
• Experience with industry-standard computer applications
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the board may find appropriate and acceptable.