Is Broward Schools Courting Carvalho For Superintendent Position?

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) - The Broward School Board has just hired a firm to begin their nationwide search for a new superintendent after current superintendent Jim Notter leaves office at the end of June.

"They want a leader that focuses on the classroom and puts the needs of children first," said board member Nora Rupert.

One name keeps surfacing again and again as a possible successor to Notter.

"You can't miss with an Alberto Carvalho," says Rupert.  "He's terrific."

Carvalho has been Miami-Dade County Schools superintendent since September 2008.  He has a contract extension that runs through 2012.

"He has forged a relationship with the community and he has a fantastic focus on the classroom," "Certainly we are dealing with an urban district and we're also a minority majority," said Rupert. "He wants to keep at risk kids in school.  He's doing a phenomenal job."

Though facing budget woes, Carvalho has managed to hold the classroom harmless.

"It hasn't been without sacrifice," says Carvalho but he says they haven't allowed the budget to dictate unwise decisions.

Broward County has told 1,400 teachers that their contracts are not being renewed.  Union negotiations are stalled.

Dade County is not laying off any teachers and in fact struck a new deal with the union on Wednesday.

The head of Broward teacher's Union says he's impressed Carvalho has cut the administration by half over three years, something they've urged the district to do.

"I would like to see someone with vision who communicates effectively and works collaboratively," said Union president Pat Santeramo.

When asked on the record whether he would be interested in the Broward superintendent job Carvalho said coyly, "I'm surprised.  But I am committed to this community.  Of course that's what everyone says just before they announce they're running for president."