What is going on at Sidwell - LOTS AND LOTS OF TURNOVER - Upper School Head leaving

[Anonymous]

People change jobs. Why does this cause everyone such stress?

[Anonymous]

Over the last decade I believe the US had had 4 different principals, including acting principals. It would be a really good thing for the new HOS and Board to make a better choice this time around -- perhaps one of several strong internal candidates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Over the last decade I believe the US had had 4 different principals, including acting principals. It would be a really good thing for the new HOS and Board to make a better choice this time around -- perhaps one of several strong internal candidates.

I'm not familiar with all the details of this particular situation, but I imagine what you propose is easy to say, but hard to do. Many good principals don't just want to hang around. They will get offers to be head of school at some other location. Indeed, IIRC, the incoming head of school at Sidwell is a former principal at Sidwell who left to be head of school somewhere else.

The real prize for a school is to find a principal who is high-quality, but who does not have any ambition for a head of school promotion, and yet who is able to keep her approach fresh over many years at the same job. That's a really tall order. I'd guess the most common situation like that will be if some principal is willing to keep the job for several years while waiting for the head of school to retire, in hopes of moving up to that spot.

Simply saying "Hire better principals who want to stay for the long haul!" is not a realistic prescription for success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Over the last decade I believe the US had had 4 different principals, including acting principals. It would be a really good thing for the new HOS and Board to make a better choice this time around -- perhaps one of several strong internal candidates.

I'm not familiar with all the details of this particular situation, but I imagine what you propose is easy to say, but hard to do. Many good principals don't just want to hang around. They will get offers to be head of school at some other location. Indeed, IIRC, the incoming head of school at Sidwell is a former principal at Sidwell who left to be head of school somewhere else.

The real prize for a school is to find a principal who is high-quality, but who does not have any ambition for a head of school promotion, and yet who is able to keep her approach fresh over many years at the same job. That's a really tall order. I'd guess the most common situation like that will be if some principal is willing to keep the job for several years while waiting for the head of school to retire, in hopes of moving up to that spot.

Simply saying "Hire better principals who want to stay for the long haul!" is not a realistic prescription for success.

The current MS principal has been there at least a decade and the recently-retired LS principal was in place for even longer -- well over 20 years.

Also worth noting, the US principal who left in 2010, after 4 years at Sidwell, did not move to an HOS position.

Finally, I would think that hiring an internal candidate who has been teaching at the school for many years might be a way to ensure longer tenure as US principal.

[Anonymous]

I would not want an internal candidate to run the US at Sidwell. I want someone who doesn't have allegiances and can look at the school with fresh eyes. Nothing against anyone at US now, I just think hiring a new person is an opportunity to bring in a fresh new perspective at a senior level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not want an internal candidate to run the US at Sidwell. I want someone who doesn't have allegiances and can look at the school with fresh eyes. Nothing against anyone at US now, I just think hiring a new person is an opportunity to bring in a fresh new perspective at a senior level.

I can see how that might be appealing. OTOH, the last 2 US principals as well as the last HOS all failed in large part b/c they never gained the confidence of the faculty. An internal candidate who has the respect of his/her peers would have a big advantage.

[Anonymous]

"she plans to take time now to pursue new challenges and new opportunities for professional growth"

LOL

Translation: We suggested that she might want to join Tom Farquhar in pursuing a career as an organic vegetable grower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not want an internal candidate to run the US at Sidwell. I want someone who doesn't have allegiances and can look at the school with fresh eyes. Nothing against anyone at US now, I just think hiring a new person is an opportunity to bring in a fresh new perspective at a senior level.

Guess what? It is not up to you to make hiring decisions. You are a parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"she plans to take time now to pursue new challenges and new opportunities for professional growth"

LOL

Translation: We suggested that she might want to join Tom Farquhar in pursuing a career as an organic vegetable grower.

Mr Farquhar will be leading a school in Dubai.

[Anonymous]

I would not want an internal candidate to run the US at ``Sidwell. I want someone who doesn't have allegiances and can look at the school with fresh eyes. Nothing against anyone at US now, I just think hiring a new person is an opportunity to bring in a fresh new perspective at a senior level.''

Guess what? It is not up to you to make hiring decisions. You are a parent.

Absolutely right. But......I also live in the U.S. where there are laws and traditions protecting free speech. But

[Anonymous]

Butt head.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Butt head.

This is your instruction to the PP? Or did you mean to describe him/her as a
"butthead"? Either way, kudos for advancing the discussion in a thoughtful and incisive way!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"she plans to take time now to pursue new challenges and new opportunities for professional growth"

LOL

Translation: We suggested that she might want to join Tom Farquhar in pursuing a career as an organic vegetable grower.

As you attempt to perpetuate a lie. Tom Farquhar will be heading an international school in Dubai. Translation: shut up if you don' t know what you're talking about.

[Anonymous]

So Tom was lying?

http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/capitalcomment/local-news/the-head-of-sidwell-friends-suddenly-announces-his-resignation.php

The plot thickens. Why did Tom lie?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not want an internal candidate to run the US at Sidwell. I want someone who doesn't have allegiances and can look at the school with fresh eyes. Nothing against anyone at US now, I just think hiring a new person is an opportunity to bring in a fresh new perspective at a senior level.

Guess what? It is not up to you to make hiring decisions. You are a parent.

What an idiotic response to a perfectly reasonable comment.