Why are dozens of principals leaving Fairfax Co. schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At least some of them are retiring to get FCPS pensions while collecting a salary in a new division.

I get the impression Reid actually expects some results from principals and the ones who quit were used to Brabrand’s do-nothing style.

+1. I also get a strong sense from community meetings that Reid is out here pushing for real results - especially for the most disadvantaged and those lagging far behind the norm. I think some principals, specifically those closer to retirement, realize it's going to be hard work to fix the failing schools and jumping ship to a system with less expectations is an easy way out.

Administrator here ... my take is that it is some of both. Dr. Reid IS pushing for real results, but she has horrible interpersonal skills and has not demonstrated an understanding of the nuances and complexities that make up FCPS. She relies on old research to back many of her ideas, and it seems like she is trying to replicate what she did in Washington in a system that is very, very different.

While I do believe she wants what is best for kids and is willing to prioritize that over creating/maintaining a caring culture, I don't believe that the two have to be done in such conflict with one another. Her perceived incompetence/unwillingness to truly understand our system coupled with severe lack of regard for relationships is leading to the admin exit we are seeing.

I wonder what you mean about horrible interpersonal skills? Can you explain elaborate? I haven’t seen that in my several interactions with her (but I am not a principal).

She came to my ES last year and spoke to all the staff in the same voice/tone she used to speak to 6 year olds. She seems to assume we’re all idiots and LOVES to ramble on about herself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At least some of them are retiring to get FCPS pensions while collecting a salary in a new division.

I get the impression Reid actually expects some results from principals and the ones who quit were used to Brabrand’s do-nothing style.

+1. I also get a strong sense from community meetings that Reid is out here pushing for real results - especially for the most disadvantaged and those lagging far behind the norm. I think some principals, specifically those closer to retirement, realize it's going to be hard work to fix the failing schools and jumping ship to a system with less expectations is an easy way out.

Administrator here ... my take is that it is some of both. Dr. Reid IS pushing for real results, but she has horrible interpersonal skills and has not demonstrated an understanding of the nuances and complexities that make up FCPS. She relies on old research to back many of her ideas, and it seems like she is trying to replicate what she did in Washington in a system that is very, very different.

While I do believe she wants what is best for kids and is willing to prioritize that over creating/maintaining a caring culture, I don't believe that the two have to be done in such conflict with one another. Her perceived incompetence/unwillingness to truly understand our system coupled with severe lack of regard for relationships is leading to the admin exit we are seeing.

I wonder what you mean about horrible interpersonal skills? Can you explain elaborate? I haven’t seen that in my several interactions with her (but I am not a principal).

She came to my ES last year and spoke to all the staff in the same voice/tone she used to speak to 6 year olds. She seems to assume we’re all idiots and LOVES to ramble on about herself.

I speak to 6yo in the same voice and tone that I use to speak to adults. I don’t think they are idiots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:here are the top reasons IMO:
- the overly litigious nature of some families who have unreasonable expectations of public school and special education.
-the limits placed on disciplining students because some parents fight back and avoid discipline with excuses like discrimination or disabilities.
-not enough staff in elementary schools.
-people are politicizing education.
-parents don’t respect educators and see them as low class stupid babysitters instead of intelligent, skilled, (but human) professionals

I’m a principal in another district, and I’m leaving this year. This is why.

I’m a parent in FCPS, and I’m taking out my kids this year because many “educators” lied to us in our faces over and over again, protect the bullies, attack inquisitive minds (instead of nurturing them).

When I read attack inquisitive minds I hear “my kid is a PITA and teachers don’t realize his/her specialness.” And I say this as an AAP parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:here are the top reasons IMO:
- the overly litigious nature of some families who have unreasonable expectations of public school and special education.
-the limits placed on disciplining students because some parents fight back and avoid discipline with excuses like discrimination or disabilities.
-not enough staff in elementary schools.
-people are politicizing education.
-parents don’t respect educators and see them as low class stupid babysitters instead of intelligent, skilled, (but human) professionals

I’m a principal in another district, and I’m leaving this year. This is why.

And yet in reality we found out that principals were having discussions of which parents were more popular in the community to base policy by.

[Anonymous]

Oh, I don't know, my teacher friends complained about Brabrand and his policies left and right, too. I think it's more just education in general.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, I don't know, my teacher friends complained about Brabrand and his policies left and right, too. I think it's more just education in general.

We miss Dr. Brabrand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, I don't know, my teacher friends complained about Brabrand and his policies left and right, too. I think it's more just education in general.

We miss Dr. Brabrand.

Not all of us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At least some of them are retiring to get FCPS pensions while collecting a salary in a new division.

I get the impression Reid actually expects some results from principals and the ones who quit were used to Brabrand’s do-nothing style.

+1. I also get a strong sense from community meetings that Reid is out here pushing for real results - especially for the most disadvantaged and those lagging far behind the norm. I think some principals, specifically those closer to retirement, realize it's going to be hard work to fix the failing schools and jumping ship to a system with less expectations is an easy way out.

-1 I don't get this feeling at all. I think she talks around issues~smiles and says let me look in to it. Education is broken and sadly the county is so big it might be unfixable. Teachers and principals can't work around the clock to fix what gatehouse and politicians have broken. It's a job-they go home and have lives after so just stop. Teachers and admin know what needs to happen to fix schools but no one wants to change things Gatehouse just keeps pushing people out the door with their tone deaf attitudes. It's not how you retain people. FCPS is not in a good place(it hasn't been for a long time) and I don't get the feeling this is anymore than a resume builder for Reid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty simple really. They selected a career as an education professional, not as a social worker in charge of creating equal outcomes.

They went into education with the goal of making each student the best they could be, not one where the goal is to get every student to the level of the least common denominator.

Now they have a superintendent and school board with resources (over $3B annual budget) to achieve the goals of DEI.

This is actually what I see. The best principals who are good administrators and have their teachers' backs - they are retiring or moving. The new ones coming in are not the right people for the job. And you can see it in the schools.

Former FCPS teacher here. What is said above is true. I've seen this happen at multiple schools in the district. It's always the good, competent, strong, and caring admin that gets booted out or "asked" to leave because of political reasons. It's a shame what has happened to FCPS. It used to be one of the greatest school districts in the country. Now it's just a political shithole full of administrators and staff who don't know how to work with kids let alone know what they're doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty simple really. They selected a career as an education professional, not as a social worker in charge of creating equal outcomes.

They went into education with the goal of making each student the best they could be, not one where the goal is to get every student to the level of the least common denominator.

Now they have a superintendent and school board with resources (over $3B annual budget) to achieve the goals of DEI.

This is actually what I see. The best principals who are good administrators and have their teachers' backs - they are retiring or moving. The new ones coming in are not the right people for the job. And you can see it in the schools.

Former FCPS teacher here. What is said above is true. I've seen this happen at multiple schools in the district. It's always the good, competent, strong, and caring admin that gets booted out or "asked" to leave because of political reasons. It's a shame what has happened to FCPS. It used to be one of the greatest school districts in the country. Now it's just a political shithole full of administrators and staff who don't know how to work with kids let alone know what they're doing.

It’s important not to forget that certain principals might have been asked to leave for disciplinary reasons.
I agree that most administrators and staff don’t know how to work with kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty simple really. They selected a career as an education professional, not as a social worker in charge of creating equal outcomes.

They went into education with the goal of making each student the best they could be, not one where the goal is to get every student to the level of the least common denominator.

Now they have a superintendent and school board with resources (over $3B annual budget) to achieve the goals of DEI.

This is actually what I see. The best principals who are good administrators and have their teachers' backs - they are retiring or moving. The new ones coming in are not the right people for the job. And you can see it in the schools.

Former FCPS teacher here. What is said above is true. I've seen this happen at multiple schools in the district. It's always the good, competent, strong, and caring admin that gets booted out or "asked" to leave because of political reasons. It's a shame what has happened to FCPS. It used to be one of the greatest school districts in the country. Now it's just a political shithole full of administrators and staff who don't know how to work with kids let alone know what they're doing.

If “caring” means covering up for teachers and staff who have engaged is misconduct, it’s not like there was really any alternative but to hold those administrators accountable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:here are the top reasons IMO:
- the overly litigious nature of some families who have unreasonable expectations of public school and special education.
-the limits placed on disciplining students because some parents fight back and avoid discipline with excuses like discrimination or disabilities.
-not enough staff in elementary schools.
-people are politicizing education.
-parents don’t respect educators and see them as low class stupid babysitters instead of intelligent, skilled, (but human) professionals

Wow. Hope you are never a parent. Private schools paying teachers less are growing. Somehow they also have discriminatory parents and confident principals. Maybe they spend less time worrying about parents and more time making a school they are proud of. Just a thought.

“Wow?” I’m a parent and that PP is absolutely correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:here are the top reasons IMO:
- the overly litigious nature of some families who have unreasonable expectations of public school and special education.
-the limits placed on disciplining students because some parents fight back and avoid discipline with excuses like discrimination or disabilities.
-not enough staff in elementary schools.
-people are politicizing education.
-parents don’t respect educators and see them as low class stupid babysitters instead of intelligent, skilled, (but human) professionals

I’m a principal in another district, and I’m leaving this year. This is why.

I’m a parent in FCPS, and I’m taking out my kids this year because many “educators” lied to us in our faces over and over again, protect the bullies, attack inquisitive minds (instead of nurturing them).

Thank you for being Exhibit A.

DP

[Anonymous]

can't any of you learn to read critically from a slam piece? There are 222 Fairfax county schools. The ones that left (2021, according to OP so not even current) are a FRACTION. Learn to read critically! journalists are stupid 21 year olds who know nothing and want to write something sensational without any maturity

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:can't any of you learn to read critically from a slam piece? There are 222 Fairfax county schools. The ones that left (2021, according to OP so not even current) are a FRACTION. Learn to read critically! journalists are stupid 21 year olds who know nothing and want to write something sensational without any maturity

And why did they write the article at all? Because someone pointed them to the high numbers of experienced principals leaving.

It's a real problem. We already knew about it. Now you do too.