Forum Index
»
Private & Independent Schools
SSFS HOS leaving
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
I have experience with another school that is dealing with a similar situation (toxic environment caused by narcissist(s) in leadership position(s)).
Annual employee reviews don’t seem to be meaningful at this school, especially for admin. Implementing a 360 review for senior administrators where people at all levels gave feedback on job performance might help the board make sure people in key positions are doing their jobs and have the institution’s best interest at heart. These people can get away with a lot with zero repercussions. |
Anonymous
Just before the end of the school year RG had a 360 review input request sent out. I don't know if the responses went to the board or to RG though. But never saw this in the last few years. There was no avenue for feed back to the board of trustees. I think this was a red flag. Requests to contact BOT members was always met with, work through the hos, the board doesnt interfere with hos decisions, yet no explanation on how to provide feedback on the hos himself then? None of the constituents had direct contact to the board. All feedback had to pipe through RG himself. Seemed like another failing of the board. |
Anonymous
| The “unable to cover payroll” bit is simply not true. |
Anonymous
Why did they put on a hiring freeze and lay more staff off then? Seems like that would indicate they can't cover payroll. That's how that message read. |
Anonymous
|
I am sure they covered this year’s payroll but next year was in doubt so they had to freeze hiring and lay off some employees.
The school administration has not been honest in what their money concerns. The large jumps in tuition were done in the past to make up the revenue shortfall. This only goes so far before it becomes more than people want to pay. Other independent private schools have to file Form 990 with the IRS which would let you know the revenue and expenses. But SSFS is classified a religious institution so they are exempted from filing. This is a shame as it prevents parents for knowing how things are going for the school financially. Other local schools can be looked up btw. It was an eye opener for me to see how much other HoS in this area actually are paid. |
Anonymous
| These head searches are done by 3rd party consultants. There is rigorous vetting until the end. Process to become a candidate is rigorous too. Good consultants work closely with committees to avoid shortsightedness. Still, a committee may “fall in love” with a candidate for whatever reason losing sight of long term goals. That person may/may not be what the school needs to meet its challenges and opportunities at the time. |
Anonymous
|
That is true. I remember that SSFS used a consultant with this search and the search committee (made up of board and faculty reps) had a rather large advisory group comprised of parents, faculty, board members, and I think, students. Four finalists (maybe it was 3?) were brought to campus for a variety of interviews/meet-and-greets. I got to meet all of them. I recall being impressed at the time about the inclusive process and the opportunity to provide feedback. I don't remember anyone I talked to not liking him.
Sometimes the fit doesn't work despite vetting. The environment changes. RG was hired almost a year before he actually took over. Covid isn't the entire problem, but maybe if the pandemic hadn't happened the fit would have been better, or the problems would have been more apparent earlier and the need to take action clearer (or his desire to quit happened faster)? We will never know. |
Anonymous
My impression was at least some members of search committee were pleased because they felt like he was a but of an independent school world celebrity who would raise the school’s profile in these circles and, tbh, like he was vehicle for bragging about diversity (though the school I was already pretty diverse as expensive private school’s go.) I think things got off on the wrong foot because the decision makers were feeling lucky to “get him” and because of his personality he’d disposed to agree that anyone and everyone is lucky to have dealings with him. |
Anonymous
A "better" search committee won't work. SSFS needs to figure out what they want in a HOS and find someone that aligns with those skills and the schools values. I'm an outsider but was surprised that a Quaker school recruited someone who spoken openly about insisting that he go by Dr. G. That seemed inconsistent with a core value of Quakerism and a red flag for more to come. As many in the thread mentioned, it appears the past search committee were excited/intrigued by the individual and not what he could bring to the school. A stronger search lead would remind the school to stay focused on values, but RG is pretty popular in independent school circles, so that probably complicated things further. |
Anonymous
If the school is struggling with enrollment, it would be irresponsible to hire staff that you don't have available work for due to student ratios. This tends impact extra and co-curricular roles first. |
Anonymous
|
I checked the Careers page on the SSFS site and I don't see much listed aside from sub and bus driver positions. If 7 people were fired and 23 more voluntarily left, where is the plan to replace them? As a current parent who has not info outside of the emails from a week ago, I have many questions. Does anyone have a list of all of the teachers and staff who have left that can be shared here?
Also, re: deleted messages on this thread, I also have been following since the first post. I have been a reader of DCUM over the 10+ years I have had children in independent schools. In the wayback, the moderator would pop into threads like this and say they he deleted posts -- most often if was because one lone poster would be posting and parroting their post to try to amplify the message or one or a small few. Because the moderator can see things we cannot see, my guess is that this is what they are doing here, if posts have indeed been deleted. MANY posts on this thread sound like they were written by the same raging person (or two). |
Anonymous
Good info, PP! |
Anonymous
I agree that SSFS needs to figure out what they want in a HOS. I think that the BOT felt that something needed to change at the school but the faculty, staff and parents felt things were fine the way they were so there may have been a disconnect between the board and faculty/staff/families. I am an outsider, I looked SSFS for my kid in 2017/2018. I felt there was something missing (holding back the school). |
Anonymous
No one has the right to tell someone else how to feel. Not from SSFS, but this situation sounds horrific and enraging. Also seems that the school has not provided channels for people to ask questions or give feedback over the years. Beyond posts that could potentially be slanderous, not sure why posts need to be deleted even in the case someone finds they need to post more than once to share all they want to say. |
Anonymous
| The people who left are mostly not being replaced. Classes are being reduced. Supports are being reduced. |