Former Denver Superintendent Becomes Union Executive Director
The South Carolina Education Association chose former Denver Public Schools Superintendent Sidney “Chip” Zullinger as its new executive director. Zullinger replaces Richard Miller, who resigned abruptly in February under mysterious circumstances.
The executive director is the union’s chief of staff, in charge of all the organization’s employees, from managers to UniServ directors to office personnel. Zullinger is an unusual choice, as NEA affiliates rarely hire top officials from outside of the union.
Since 1983, Zullinger has held superintendent jobs throughout the country — Yancey County and Sampson County in North Carolina, Natrona County in Wyoming, and Charleston County in South Carolina from 1996-1999, before being named to the superintendent position in Denver.
Zullinger’s Denver contract was bought out by the school board after only nine months on the job, amid disputes over his leadership style. Zullinger’s last position was as superintendent in Manassas, Virginia, where the school board decided not to renew his contract last October. His tenure there ended with some dispute over his performance.
Before he was named to the SCEA executive director position, Zullinger was in the running for the superintendent job in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Sonia Diaz was selected for that job last month.
August 1st, 2006 at 16:54
I absolutely cannot believe that anyone hired this man. I worked for him in Manassas City, VA and I can say without hesitation that I would never work for him again. He has lied and uses his “good ole boy” attitude to cover his tracks. He has been fired from his last three superintendent jobs. I am so thankful that he was at least not hired by a school district. I can only hope that his new employees do not have to bear the brunt of his dishonesty and power trips as his former employees have. Good luck.
August 17th, 2006 at 12:44
I also cannot believe The SCEA hired Zullinger. His staff in Colorado describe him as a “jerk”. The SCEA Board hired him because he dazzled them with his vision of change. Well, true to that vision, in less than 8 weeks on the job, he has taken an assocation into multiple unfair labor practice charges with the national labor relations board, employee grievances, and association leaders are trying to oust the state president. Why in the world, in the aftermath of Mr. Miller’s departure, would they hire someone who obviosly does not have the interpersonal skills needed to take the association anywhere but further down.
August 18th, 2006 at 18:24
Dr. Miller was an NEA employee assigned to SC. He asked to be reassigned and continues his excellent performance as an NEA employee for the cause of public education.
August 19th, 2006 at 14:14
Whatever The SCEA is going through internally, they continue to be the strongest voice for public education in SC. Let’s hope they are able to work their internal problems out soon so their officials can get back to business.
August 23rd, 2006 at 22:12
The SCEA has truly gone downhill since Dr. Miller’s departure. They have taken a huge step backward. They were missing in action during this past legislative session. Too bad for SC teachers.