Principal Announcements

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The new principal for Watkins and Peabody is Elena Bell, currently principal at Vanderpoel Elementary Magnet School in Chicago.

Ooh. Lucky move Watkins/Peabody...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay, it's not quite so nefarious as you might think. For instance: Brookland (new school), Bruce Monroe (retiring), Janney (transfering to Brookland), Kelly Miller (transfering to Dunbar), Kramer (principal left in October for a job promotion in Detroit), Powell (leaving to be with family in Spain), West (promoted), Wilson (left in December), not to mention the two schools that it was mentioned were being consolidated. Malcolm X was just an interim principal anyway.

Great point. But that accounts for just...let's say 10 put of nearly 30 schools. That's a pretty big churn no matter how you put it.

Okay, 1.) I'm not sure if "churn" is always a bad thing. In this case of those principals it is NOT a bad thing that the one at Johnson is going, or Dunbar, or a couple other ones. And also, within that group some of them have found jobs elsewhere or want to do something else--such as Bancroft. And then yes, there's a bunch that are not leaving on their own accord. And perhaps some of them are ones that you like (you being the general you.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay, it's not quite so nefarious as you might think. For instance: Brookland (new school), Bruce Monroe (retiring), Janney (transfering to Brookland), Kelly Miller (transfering to Dunbar), Kramer (principal left in October for a job promotion in Detroit), Powell (leaving to be with family in Spain), West (promoted), Wilson (left in December), not to mention the two schools that it was mentioned were being consolidated. Malcolm X was just an interim principal anyway.

Great point. But that accounts for just...let's say 10 put of nearly 30 schools. That's a pretty big churn no matter how you put it.

Okay, 1.) I'm not sure if "churn" is always a bad thing. In this case of those principals it is NOT a bad thing that the one at Johnson is going, or Dunbar, or a couple other ones. And also, within that group some of them have found jobs elsewhere or want to do something else--such as Bancroft. And then yes, there's a bunch that are not leaving on their own accord. And perhaps some of them are ones that you like (you being the general you.)

PP here that you're responding to---

I absolutely agree 100%. It wasn't until after I hit submit that I realized I fogot to make that point. I know of two principals on that list who were absolutely horrible! Just abusive! I wondered why they weren't axed sooner. This is a wonderful opportunity for DCPS to bring in competent leaders with integrity. But they need to work on their PR (which I think they're doing a good job of with the 3

[Anonymous]

con...

year contracts. If I were a gifted leader, I wouldn't gamble my career on a school system known for axing its principals after a year or two/or for no reason.

[Anonymous]

I don't think that any principal on that list got terminated for no reason. However I would go so far as to say that there were principles on that list that got let go because of differences of educational philosophy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that any principal on that list got terminated for no reason. However I would go so far as to say that there were principles on that list that got let go because of differences of educational philosophy.

That's a problem. "Differences of educational philosophy" sounds a lot like "Wouldn't kiss ass or play the manipulate numbers game." What longtime, successful leader wants to take that gamble.

The assumption has never been that principals are 'fired for no reason' but that the reasons are 'sketchy'.

[Anonymous]

PS: 'Sketchy'=manufactured to justify unjustifiably getting rid of a good leader.

[Anonymous]

The real qualifications of a principal in DCPS are spelled out in the IMPACT evaluation for "School Leaders" - principals: 50% of the evaluation is based on five data goals that each principal has to set before the start of the school year. That automatically makes principals focus on testing and test prep. See: tinyurl.com/principal-impact

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay, it's not quite so nefarious as you might think. For instance: Brookland (new school), Bruce Monroe (retiring), Janney (transfering to Brookland), Kelly Miller (transfering to Dunbar), Kramer (principal left in October for a job promotion in Detroit), Powell (leaving to be with family in Spain), West (promoted), Wilson (left in December), not to mention the two schools that it was mentioned were being consolidated. Malcolm X was just an interim principal anyway.

Great point. But that accounts for just...let's say 10 put of nearly 30 schools. That's a pretty big churn no matter how you put it.

Okay, 1.) I'm not sure if "churn" is always a bad thing. In this case of those principals it is NOT a bad thing that the one at Johnson is going, or Dunbar, or a couple other ones. And also, within that group some of them have found jobs elsewhere or want to do something else--such as Bancroft. And then yes, there's a bunch that are not leaving on their own accord. And perhaps some of them are ones that you like (you being the general you.)

PP here that you're responding to---

I absolutely agree 100%. It wasn't until after I hit submit that I realized I fogot to make that point. I know of two principals on that list who were absolutely horrible! Just abusive! I wondered why they weren't axed sooner. This is a wonderful opportunity for DCPS to bring in competent leaders with integrity. But they need to work on their PR (which I think they're doing a good job of with the 3

Legit question. What principals? Did you actually have kids attend school with these two principals or are you just talking rumor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that any principal on that list got terminated for no reason. However I would go so far as to say that there were principles on that list that got let go because of differences of educational philosophy.

That's a problem. "Differences of educational philosophy" sounds a lot like "Wouldn't kiss ass or play the manipulate numbers game." What longtime, successful leader wants to take that gamble.

The assumption has never been that principals are 'fired for no reason' but that the reasons are 'sketchy'.

Maybe, although I certainly hope not. However, you're not their employer and they are in a voluntary contract that both parties have to agree to--the person offering their labor and the person who wants their labor. They don't have a "right" to the job just like you don't have a "right" to your job. (Nor do I.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that any principal on that list got terminated for no reason. However I would go so far as to say that there were principles on that list that got let go because of differences of educational philosophy.

That's a problem. "Differences of educational philosophy" sounds a lot like "Wouldn't kiss ass or play the manipulate numbers game." What longtime, successful leader wants to take that gamble.

The assumption has never been that principals are 'fired for no reason' but that the reasons are 'sketchy'.

Maybe, although I certainly hope not. However, you're not their employer and they are in a voluntary contract that both parties have to agree to--the person offering their labor and the person who wants their labor. They don't have a "right" to the job just like you don't have a "right" to your job. (Nor do I.)

This is true. But be clear: this attitude discourages many wonderful, capable applicants from even applying.

Why? When they can remain in a system that provides protections like due process and I dunno firing with just cause.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, I think that can happen in any job for the most part unless you are part of some super strong union. (And I'm not advocating that.)

[Anonymous]

The shepherd principal knows every child at the school. She is well liked. I am seriously concerned that she is being replaced--by her choice or not. I am also seriously concerned that they plan to find the new candidate by next week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, I think that can happen in any job for the most part unless you are part of some super strong union. (And I'm not advocating that.)

Nah. Most professional jobs provide certain protections like job security and an actual legitimate reason for getting rid of you, especially in the field of education. You've been in DC too long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The shepherd principal knows every child at the school. She is well liked. I am seriously concerned that she is being replaced--by her choice or not. I am also seriously concerned that they plan to find the new candidate by next week.

+1. My family will miss her. But they interviewed the candidates for principal this week. I heard there were some good candidates so really hoping it works out with a strong, energetic principal for next year.