By Holly Rodriguez

Richmond Public Schools needs a new leader with a new plan because what has been done in the past is not working.

That was the general sentiment of parents, teachers, staff and RPS supporters who gathered Tuesday at John Marshall High School to discuss the ideal qualities and expectations for the city’s next schools superintendent.

At the North Side meeting, the third of four public forums on the subject, nearly all 50 people in attendance agreed that a change in school system culture is a top priority.

“We all appreciate the necessity of basic educational credentials and experience, but that’s what we’ve always had with RPS, and it hasn’t worked,” said Kevin Starlings, a community volunteer and organizer. “Some of us are feeling like maybe it’s time for something new — traditional experience plus.”

Low teacher and student morale, discipline problems and aged and crumbling school buildings and facilities are among the issues that have been raised repeatedly during the forums held by the Richmond School Board. The problems have caused erosion in the culture of several schools, people said.

At a forum held last week, participants largely focused on the need for transparency and clear communication by school officials.

At Tuesday night’s event, several groups said Richmond’s next superintendent must have experience in an urban school district, as well as financial and political savvy.

“We need somebody who can look at a budget and make decisions in fiscal prioritizing and understanding the business side of making education work,” Mr. Starlings said. “And we need a collaborator, because the superintendent-School Board relationship is just like a CEO and board of directors.”

The need to improve school system culture was a sentiment expressed by Barbara Haas, who has a daughter who’s a sophomore at Richmond Community High School and a child who is graduating from Maggie Walker Governor’s School.

“The culture in the school is so important because there are so many facets to it and it impacts everything,” she said. “The little things add up over time to make a child not want to come to school, to make a teacher not want to come to work. The conditions of the buildings can be demoralizing.”

From trash on the floor, to graffiti or light bulbs that need to be replaced, Ms. Haas said she is looking for a superintendent who will address these issues with school principals if they are not being resolved.

“The person needs to be willing to take ownership and be a real leader,” she said.

Both Ms. Haas and Mr. Starlings said they felt the meeting was productive and more than just chatter. Five members of the School Board attended and listened to the comments.

“I’m excited about the board being receptive to community feedback,” Mr. Starlings said, “because that hasn’t always been the case.”

Information gathered from the forums will be posted to the RPS website at www.rvaschools.net in the School Board’s section of the site.

Superintendent Dana T. Bedden’s last day is June 30. An interim superintendent, not yet appointed, will begin July 1, while a national search for a permanent replacement is conducted.