DCPSs looking for a principal?

[Anonymous]

DCPS elementary schools that will have new principals next year: Bancroft, Brent, Hearst, Janney (someone new has been hired), Murch, Stoddert.

5 new principals at least to come up with for elementary schools before the school year begins. I'd be interested in updates from folks on Evaluation Panels about the quality of candidates.

My theory is that Rhee will fail because she fires and doesn't nurture. That no one with quality credentials will come to work for her.

[Anonymous]

Our school panel interviewed for a new principal in Mid June. They selected a first and second choice but then Rhee's office asked them to interview a new panel- that there was an influx of new candidates they/she thought were a better fit for our school. They did- saw 5 or 6 candidates, none of whom were in the pool the month before. I believe they were impressed with the panel of more highly qualified/credentialed candidates who were indeed better suited to our school. More than one candidate had been in DCPS before Rhee, left for charters thinking the grass would be greener, and were coming back to DCPS- unenchanted with the charters. There is a new position that was recently filled in the Chancellors office, part of their job description is principal recruitment. It seems to have made a difference in the pool.
I think Rhee fires incompetent people and that is a good thing. My experience with her has not been random firing. If anything, situations with the union have precluded her ability to fire people who should have been fired sooner at our school. I also have heard she is reaching out to teachers and has an open door policy with them in terms of giving support to them.
I grew up in DCPS and cannot understand why people are so critical of Rhee. The schools have been shamefully bad for at least 2 generations. The system needs to be broken down and rebuilt. As far as I am concerned, she is our last hope. Were you happy with the system before her? How would you like to see it change? It needs to change faster if anything...

[Anonymous]

Agree with this and I like the pp grew up in DCPS. I for one would be disappointed if Rhee left now - while I don't agree with everything she has done, I just don't see a better alternative on the horizon. One thing DCPS needs for sure is consistency.

I do believe the she is committed to making DCPS better and that it is a good thing she is willing to be criticized for taking unpopular and/or untested approaches.

[Anonymous]

I'm a DCPS parent and I think Rhee is a problem. I admit, I was on the bandwagon for her the first year, but it's clear into year two, that she has only made things worse.

Quite frankly, it's easy to sit in upper NW and admire her. If you had a child in the schools that are on the other side of the park (as I do) you and your children would have a very different opinion.

I could go on and on, but I won't. I wouldn't want any of this to get back to Rhee and reflect badly on my school. The situation is, if anything, more political than ever. Parents that complain about Rhee=principals and teachers that are even more under fire. Rhee has no idea what a functional school or school system looks like and I don't see that she's particularly interested in learning.

Just as an aside, I've met some of her hot new hires and I'm not impressed.

[Anonymous]

I'll third the sentiment. I can't quite figure out why there's such investment on DCUM in Rhee's failure. I think she has made some mistakes and worry that her combative personality will hinder her progress, but I also believe that a system as dysfunctional and deeply entrenched as DCPS needs radical change, which is not always going to be comfortable. I might not agree with everything she's doing, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't agree 100% with anyone in this role. So I'll watch carefully and voice concerns when they arise, but I will also hope with all of my heart that Rhee succeeds.

[Anonymous]

14:55 here, and I'm agreeing with 14:26 and 14:00, obviously.

[Anonymous]

Any more info from parents who have been on principal selection committees, or who have met the new principal? On another forum, the Hearst principal has been named, any thoughts on him or the new Janney principal?