Lafayette ES cutting vice principal?????

[Anonymous]

I am a Lafayette HSA board member. The HSA cannot just do things because the parents want something done. Everything we do must be approved by the Principal. It's her school and she is in charge. We raise funds so that Lafayette can have things it would not get otherwise.

With regard to the original posting, it is true that the AP position as been eliminated. Prior to SY 2010-2011, Lafayette did not have an AP. She eliminated the AP position so that she could add a fifth 3rd grade teacher and keep five Kindergarten teachers and aids (DCPS reduced it to four and she felt keeping 5 was necessary).

Instead of bashing Lafayette (its administration and HSA) anonymously online, perhaps you should try talking with either face-to-face and get the information first hand. While everyone keeps complaining Lafayette's HSA is exclusive and not welcoming, we have done nothing but try and be as open and transparent as possible this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a Lafayette HSA board member. The HSA cannot just do things because the parents want something done. Everything we do must be approved by the Principal. It's her school and she is in charge. We raise funds so that Lafayette can have things it would not get otherwise.

With regard to the original posting, it is true that the AP position as been eliminated. Prior to SY 2010-2011, Lafayette did not have an AP. She eliminated the AP position so that she could add a fifth 3rd grade teacher and keep five Kindergarten teachers and aids (DCPS reduced it to four and she felt keeping 5 was necessary).

Instead of bashing Lafayette (its administration and HSA) anonymously online, perhaps you should try talking with either face-to-face and get the information first hand. While everyone keeps complaining Lafayette's HSA is exclusive and not welcoming, we have done nothing but try and be as open and transparent as possible this year.

Lafayette DID have a previous AP. Peter Young was
AP prior to our current Mr. McCoy. Both recognized & tried
relentlessly to fix some if the continuing issues plaguing Lafayette.
They were not very successful because every effort was thwarted by the head
Of school.

Mr. Young departed after one year "because of a better opportunity
Within DCPS".

Stating facts is not bashing.

[Anonymous]

The HSA cannot just do things because the parents want something done. Everything we do must be approved by the Principal. It's her school and she is in charge.



That's crazy. It's not her school. It's the taxpayers (parents/kids) school. The HSA needs to grow a pair and stand up to her. This is a big reason why we have the problem at Lafayette. Because the HSA kowtows to the pricipal's every whim.

[Anonymous]

Another happy Lafayette parent and a big thanks to the HSA and Board. My son greatly benefits from your efforts and all the extras you secure. We both work full time and don't have the time to do this very important work.

[Anonymous]

Peter Young? Isn't he the principal at Brent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a Lafayette HSA board member. The HSA cannot just do things because the parents want something done. Everything we do must be approved by the Principal. It's her school and she is in charge. We raise funds so that Lafayette can have things it would not get otherwise.

It's my understanding at Murch, at least, that decisions about how to spend HSA-raised funds are made jointly by the HSA and the principal; the funds are not simply turned over to him to spend as he pleases, nor does the HSA simply raise funds at the principal's command/request. The Lafayette HSA seems to view itself as being in service to the principal rather than representing the parent community and working in partnership with the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The HSA cannot just do things because the parents want something done. Everything we do must be approved by the Principal. It's her school and she is in charge.



That's crazy. It's not her school. It's the taxpayers (parents/kids) school. The HSA needs to grow a pair and stand up to her. This is a big reason why we have the problem at Lafayette. Because the HSA kowtows to the pricipal's every whim.

Lafayette isn't a dictatorship, is it?
This poster is 100% correct. "Grow a pair"--- Here her- I second that motion!!

[Anonymous]

Of course the Principal must approve things otherwise the HSA would run the school with its own agenda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a Lafayette HSA board member. The HSA cannot just do things because the parents want something done. Everything we do must be approved by the Principal. It's her school and she is in charge. We raise funds so that Lafayette can have things it would not get otherwise.

With regard to the original posting, it is true that the AP position as been eliminated. Prior to SY 2010-2011, Lafayette did not have an AP. She eliminated the AP position so that she could add a fifth 3rd grade teacher and keep five Kindergarten teachers and aids (DCPS reduced it to four and she felt keeping 5 was necessary).

Instead of bashing Lafayette (its administration and HSA) anonymously online, perhaps you should try talking with either face-to-face and get the information first hand. While everyone keeps complaining Lafayette's HSA is exclusive and not welcoming, we have done nothing but try and be as open and transparent as possible this year.

I agree the HSA is actively trying to engage more parents and families, thank you. But the truth is I have no interest in engaging because the parents are simply not a part of any policy related decisions. HSA meetings are useless, any meaningful discussion that may challenge the policy the principal has set is met with subtle hostility from the principal and other parents. No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a Lafayette HSA board member. The HSA cannot just do things because the parents want something done. Everything we do must be approved by the Principal. It's her school and she is in charge. We raise funds so that Lafayette can have things it would not get otherwise.

With regard to the original posting, it is true that the AP position as been eliminated. Prior to SY 2010-2011, Lafayette did not have an AP. She eliminated the AP position so that she could add a fifth 3rd grade teacher and keep five Kindergarten teachers and aids (DCPS reduced it to four and she felt keeping 5 was necessary).

Instead of bashing Lafayette (its administration and HSA) anonymously online, perhaps you should try talking with either face-to-face and get the information first hand. While everyone keeps complaining Lafayette's HSA is exclusive and not welcoming, we have done nothing but try and be as open and transparent as possible this year.

I agree the HSA is actively trying to engage more parents and families, thank you. But the truth is I have no interest in engaging because the parents are simply not a part of any policy related decisions. HSA meetings are useless, any meaningful discussion that may challenge the policy the principal has set is met with subtle hostility from the principal and other parents. No thanks.

+1

[Anonymous]

That type of attitude is not going to change anything. If you are unhappy you should commit to constructively changing things.

[Anonymous]

It's my understanding at Murch, at least, that decisions about how to spend HSA-raised funds are made jointly by the HSA and the principal; the funds are not simply turned over to him to spend as he pleases, nor does the HSA simply raise funds at the principal's command/request. The Lafayette HSA seems to view itself as being in service to the principal rather than representing the parent community and working in partnership with the principal.

Lafayette is right in line with Murch - decisions about how to spend HSA funds are made jointly by the HSA and the Principal. However, it's hard for the HSA to represent the parent community when the parent community does not participate in the decision making - not because they aren't invited to do so, but because they choose not to participate. It's understanble that people have busy lives, work and have other obligations, but out of 1,000 parents, only the same 15 people show up (mostly board members) for meetings and then everyone else gets upset when they didn't know about something. Can't make it to the meeting? Then call or email a board member and find out what's being discussed. I'm sorry, but if you choose not to participate, then you lose the right to complain about it.

BTW, Mr. Young was AP at Lafayette 2010-2011. Lafayette did not have an AP prior to that. He was asked to help close out the 2010-2011 school year at Brent and then was asked to stay on as Principal. Who wouldn't take a promotion when offered one? Isn't that the goal of all APs - to become a Principal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a Lafayette HSA board member. The HSA cannot just do things because the parents want something done. Everything we do must be approved by the Principal. It's her school and she is in charge. We raise funds so that Lafayette can have things it would not get otherwise.

With regard to the original posting, it is true that the AP position as been eliminated. Prior to SY 2010-2011, Lafayette did not have an AP. She eliminated the AP position so that she could add a fifth 3rd grade teacher and keep five Kindergarten teachers and aids (DCPS reduced it to four and she felt keeping 5 was necessary).

Instead of bashing Lafayette (its administration and HSA) anonymously online, perhaps you should try talking with either face-to-face and get the information first hand. While everyone keeps complaining Lafayette's HSA is exclusive and not welcoming, we have done nothing but try and be as open and transparent as possible this year.

I agree the HSA is actively trying to engage more parents and families, thank you. But the truth is I have no interest in engaging because the parents are simply not a part of any policy related decisions. HSA meetings are useless, any meaningful discussion that may challenge the policy the principal has set is met with subtle hostility from the principal and other parents. No thanks.

He/She is absolutely correct.
No point in trying to participate because you will be heard and
DISMISSED. We went to these meeting our first two years
Of being Lafayette parents and the were a complete waste if time.
Further, if you
speak up, often you are put on the "annoying parent list".
If you are not a Yes Man, don't bother.

[Anonymous]

Just a question so I can follow: What does HSA stand for? That would be the equivalent of the PTA, right?
If so, please all, do remember that schools are not run by PTA's and shouldn't be. DCPS has, in principle, an effective governing system presumably to safeguard taxpayer interest, whereby principals are advised by the LSAT (Local School Advisory Team), which is composed of representatives from teachers, parents, and staff. The LSAT signs off on enrollment projections, staffing model (within the often very modest autonomy provided) etc. Of course, the PTA (HSA here?) does control funds that are raised by the PTA. But there too, flags can be raised if it's not done properly, with the DC PTA or the National PTA. Knowing nothing about the subject, I concur, the complaints here are in the wrong hands entirely.

[Anonymous]

To the parents who are so miserable - why not sell your home and move into another neighborhood zoned for a different school? Home values are incredibly high in the area zoned for Lafayette. Entry level is 800k! Or better yet stay and change things. It is really that simple. But yes I'm sure it is easier to just complain and say that there is nothing you can do. We have 3 kids at Lafayette who enjoy school and are doing really well. Give up your spot, someone on the wait list will be thrilled!