Hearst Principal Leaving/Washington Post

[Anonymous]

YET..nothing is being done. Remember the article stating onkly 2 people (or was it one person) deals with the out-of-state issue. I think the article was in the post.

[Anonymous]

...except they can because each new student means that much more $$ per pupil funding from the Feds...it's much easier than collecting out-of-state tuition.

[Anonymous]

same goes for charters.

[Anonymous]

PG has always been viewed as "Ward 9." As Marion Barry would say, "just get over it."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hearst has been at full capacity for several years. Since expanding to 4th grade in 2009-10 and to 5th in 2010-11, four demountable classrooms have been added to accommodate the additional enrollment. It now has an out of boundary waiting list of about 200 for pre-K slots. It is currently slated for a full renovation and expansion in 2013, adding basic facilities it currently lacks, such as a cafeteria and gymnasium.

Despite lack of infrastructure, this Hearst has been the little school that could. It is the only elementary school in DC that serves children from all eight wards in the city. It has an incredibly strong and involved school community that has for many years overcome long odds to not only remain open but to grow. Bill Kerlina was absolutely essential to that growth, and whoever replaces him has extremely big shoes to fill.

Thank you for providing insider's view. It sounded from the article that Kerlina had only a cursory interview with Rhee. Was this before or after parents screened applicants? I'm asking because our school anticipates leadership change. We'd like to know what Central's role was in his selection. Did they refer him? Endorse him? Were there any concerns raised about his lack of experience? How were those addressed? The article said he hadn't been at the school very long. Did any parents suspect he was a burnout risk?

Principal turnover is always challenging. I sincerely hope things work out for your children. They deserve it regardless of where they live in DC.

[Anonymous]

all principal candidates must pass muster with "downtown" before interviewing at individual schools.

I've heard that the principal pool is so shallow that all who get to that stage get hired somewhere.

I'm guessing that Kerlina looked good for having been in montgomery county, so was an easy choice for Rhee and that she targeted him for Hearst because she thought a white guy could bring in more neighborhood families.

[Anonymous]

Our family is caucasian and OOB attendee at Hearst. We are part of the increased enrollment because between the prospect of improvements DCPS-wide, and the economic downturn, our family couldn't fathom an annual $20k+ tuition PER KID at a private school. The promise of reform gave us an opportunity to stay in our beloved DC.

However I will admit Rhee leaving and now our principal makes me look twice at the burbs - sad!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hearst has been at full capacity for several years. Since expanding to 4th grade in 2009-10 and to 5th in 2010-11, four demountable classrooms have been added to accommodate the additional enrollment. It now has an out of boundary waiting list of about 200 for pre-K slots. It is currently slated for a full renovation and expansion in 2013, adding basic facilities it currently lacks, such as a cafeteria and gymnasium.

Despite lack of infrastructure, this Hearst has been the little school that could. It is the only elementary school in DC that serves children from all eight wards in the city. It has an incredibly strong and involved school community that has for many years overcome long odds to not only remain open but to grow. Bill Kerlina was absolutely essential to that growth, and whoever replaces him has extremely big shoes to fill.

Thank you for providing insider's view. It sounded from the article that Kerlina had only a cursory interview with Rhee. Was this before or after parents screened applicants? I'm asking because our school anticipates leadership change. We'd like to know what Central's role was in his selection. Did they refer him? Endorse him? Were there any concerns raised about his lack of experience? How were those addressed? The article said he hadn't been at the school very long. Did any parents suspect he was a burnout risk?

Principal turnover is always challenging. I sincerely hope things work out for your children. They deserve it regardless of where they live in DC.

The PTA and principal selection committee lobbied very hard to get Kerlina. I believe that he actually had been placed at another school and the parent board that interviewed him felt so strongly that they escalated until they got him. That is how committed the parents are at this school to have the right fit...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our family is caucasian and OOB attendee at Hearst. We are part of the increased enrollment because between the prospect of improvements DCPS-wide, and the economic downturn, our family couldn't fathom an annual $20k+ tuition PER KID at a private school. The promise of reform gave us an opportunity to stay in our beloved DC.

However I will admit Rhee leaving and now our principal makes me look twice at the burbs - sad!

If Rhee had stayed, you'd be in the same boat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[

The PTA and principal selection committee lobbied very hard to get Kerlina. I believe that he actually had been placed at another school and the parent board that interviewed him felt so strongly that they escalated until they got him. That is how committed the parents are at this school to have the right fit...

Were some active Hearst parents aware that Kerlina was unhappy and thinking of leaving?

[Anonymous]

Us too. We're going charter because we don't feel DCPS will deliver for our children.

Anonymous wrote:Our family is caucasian and OOB attendee at Hearst. We are part of the increased enrollment because between the prospect of improvements DCPS-wide, and the economic downturn, our family couldn't fathom an annual $20k+ tuition PER KID at a private school. The promise of reform gave us an opportunity to stay in our beloved DC.

However I will admit Rhee leaving and now our principal makes me look twice at the burbs - sad!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family is caucasian and OOB attendee at Hearst. We are part of the increased enrollment because between the prospect of improvements DCPS-wide, and the economic downturn, our family couldn't fathom an annual $20k+ tuition PER KID at a private school. The promise of reform gave us an opportunity to stay in our beloved DC.

However I will admit Rhee leaving and now our principal makes me look twice at the burbs - sad!

If Rhee had stayed, you'd be in the same boat.

Its more about the double-whammy effect. I could take one or the other - but both? sigh...

[Anonymous]

Principal Kerlina was wonderful, but why is everyone convinced that he's the last and greatest option for Hearst and that all will fall apart due to his departure? How about a little optimism here? Perhaps everyone can learn from this and the parents and DCPS can find an even better fit for the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He'd never been a principal, wasn't going to be one in Montgomery County, and lasted only his first couple of years as a DCPS principal. And wanted more salary. There's not really a story here that I can see unless it's one about elevating someone who doesn't have what it takes.

And of course, is now leaving to go start a cupcake bakery in Howard County. I'd be fishing around for excuses, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Principal Kerlina was wonderful, but why is everyone convinced that he's the last and greatest option for Hearst and that all will fall apart due to his departure? How about a little optimism here? Perhaps everyone can learn from this and the parents and DCPS can find an even better fit for the school.

because there's every reason to think that the new principal, however great, will be dealing with the same dysfunctional system.

Kaya's non-grammatical brush-off is a major clue of that.