Dr. Dodge Talks to News 5

Mobile County School Board Dr. Harold Dodge Dr. Harold Dodge talks exclusively to News 5 about his topsy turvy 10 year tenure.

by Mel Showers

Published: Wed, November 28, 2007 - 6:27 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, March 19, 2008 - 11:03 am CST

Many thought it could never be done, but in 2001, Dr. Harold Dodge successfully spearheaded an effort that convinced Mobile county voters to approve a property tax increase to help public schools. He was later named superintendent of the year in Alabama. Then came this shocking news: as of December 31st, he would no longer be the superintendent of Alabama's largest school system. His contract was not being renewed. He's not quite sure why, but when he sat down to talk with our Mel Showers, he told him, it's time to move on.
When asked about the decision to replace him, Dr. Dodge said "the board has consistently said that they just thought it was an opportunity for a new leadership or they were looking for another level and the board just thought I couldn't take them to that level, now we'll shall see."
Dr. Dodge says he has talked with his successor, Dr. Roy Nichols. Dr. Dodge says, "yes we have talked. We met privately and we email back and forth and I send him materials that I think is pertinent of interest to him. The senior staff has briefed him and they continue to do so. And I make it clear to him in the email that I would help him get his green card... And I would try to share what I was thinking with him consistently and i've done that... So I think it will be a smooth change."
Dr. Dodge is proud of the progress the system has made over the past ten years. He says, we seem to have brought a real confidence back. When I first came, it just seemed like we were disjointed with the hold community. We had major construction and people have seen the growth of the system with new construction. Our test scores have gone up every single year... Every single year by any measure.
Dr. Dodge says he plans to stay in the Mobile area. He will make an announcement soon.

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