THE PUEBLO City Schools (D60) Board of Education just can’t seem to break the secrecy habit. Board members made a mockery of “searching” for a new superintendent by not letting the process even begin before announcing, all of a sudden, that Interim Superintendent Charlotte Macaluso is their unanimous choice as the sole candidate for the permanent superintendent position.

The announcement began a 14-day waiting period, apparently ending on Feb. 9, during which a couple of “meet and greet” sessions with Macaluso and the board were to be held to allow public input on the appointment. Then the school board is expected to formalize its own decision at a special meeting.

In other words, it’s a done deal.

Board President Phyllis Sanchez made an odd statement on the process: “The board has been working closely with the Colorado Association of School Boards in our process of selecting our next superintendent. We’ve also been evaluating Mrs. Macaluso’s performance, which has not only been outstanding but far exceeded our expectation.”

Read more at The Pueblo Chieftain.