Board approves interim superintendent Dr. Talisa Reed after public comments on transparency and contract terms

The School City of Hammond Board of Trustees voted Feb. 10 to approve an interim superintendent contract for Dr. Talisa Reed, after a public-comment period in which teachers, advocates and residents welcomed Reed and pressed the board for greater transparency and oversight of contract terms.

The board president introduced agenda item 3(a) — approval of the interim superintendent contract — and Trustee Spencer moved to approve it; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The president then announced, "We now have an interim superintendent of Dr. Talisa Reed," and invited Reed to address the board.

Rena Horgan, speaking for the Hammond Teachers Federation executive board, welcomed Reed "to the School City of Hammond" and said the union looks forward to working with the new superintendent to "uplift and empower our students" and support staff. "Once again, welcome to the school city of Hammond," Horgan said.

Several community speakers urged scrutiny of the contract and hiring process. "There is an active campaign of disinformation being put out there about the board's role," said Dr. Mikaela Spangenberg of the Gary Education Coalition, urging careful oversight when existing contracts or legal advice could leave the district vulnerable. Cindy Murphy reviewed the contract on the public record and said, "Doctor Reed is harshly underpaid," questioned whether a $7,500 moving-expense line item was sufficient compensation and asked whether the district intended to provide a leased car or a car allowance for an interim. Murphy also told the board, "10,000 students are depending on you," and said she hoped Reed would remain beyond June 30.

Lizette Montanez told trustees she wished the hiring process had been more open and asked that interview information and calendar postings be easier for the public to find. "I wish this process would have been a little bit more open," Montanez said. Wanda Puckett criticized board behavior and urged trustees to "start thinking for yourself," accusing some members of being improperly influenced by outside parties.

Dr. Talisa Reed, introduced by the board as interim superintendent, said she has worked as a substitute teacher, instructional assistant, assistant principal, principal and director of instructional leadership and assessment. She pledged to gather data, hold focus groups and conduct one-on-one meetings with community members before delivering a "state of the district" report to the board that will inform strategic priorities. "I pledge to you that I will give you my best from day 1," Reed said.

The board adjourned after the remarks. In closing, the president noted the Perris Fultz scholarship is posted on the district website and that the application deadline is Feb. 22.

What happens next: Reed said she will collect data and community input and deliver a state-of-the-district address to the board; the board did not place additional conditions on the interim contract during the special meeting.