FCPS - Difference Between Acting and Interim Principal?

[Anonymous]

What’s the difference between an interim principal and an acting principal in FCPS? Is it documented anywhere? Can either of them get the job permanently?

[Anonymous]

I think it is the same thing? I am not sure if there are rules around it but we have had a few new principals in recent years and the interim/acting was never named to the job.

[Anonymous]

Technically speaking, in HR, "acting" means B is doing A's job while A is out. But A still has the job and is coming back.

"Interim" means that B is doing a job while mngmt looks for a permanent person to do the job that A used to do.

[Anonymous]

One more point....

The definitions above are accurate, but FCPS may not use them accurately. For example, FCPS has had two "interim" principals at a middle school, but they are still referencing the former principal and implying that he is coming back (or at least isn't completely gone/forgotten). I would have thought FCPS would use the terms "acting" and "interim" correctly...but given their communications on the matter referenced, I have doubts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it is the same thing? I am not sure if there are rules around it but we have had a few new principals in recent years and the interim/acting was never named to the job.

It was allowed as recently as three years ago. The principal at a FCPS middle school passed away after a short illness. The asssistant principal was assigned as interim. He eventually was hired as the new principal.

[Anonymous]

The last time there was a shuffle in the Justice (then Stuart) pyramid, Shawn DeRose was named “acting” principal at Glasgow MS because Karen Garza said interims can’t be hired permanently - https://annandaleva.blogspot.com/2015/04/stuart-and-glasgow-communities-meet-new.html?m=1

But in a couple of recent cases in FCPS, “interims” have been hired permanently. Different superintendent, different rules?

So, is “Acting Principal” Madigan a candidate for permanent Principal position at Glasgow? Would she even want it? Seems like a thankless job to me.

[Anonymous]

So while a principal is being investigated she is put on admin leave and will have her contract terminated even if the investigation does not have enough proof of wrong doing?

[Anonymous]

An acting principal would be someone who has never been a principal, ie an AP who gets a bump in pay for performing the principal duties. Basically it’s a temporary promotion. This person could apply for and be hired as the new principal if that’s the situation.

An interim principal is someone that is hired to serve as principal. This would typically be someone who is a retired principal and returning for a limited time period while a new principal is being hired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An acting principal would be someone who has never been a principal, ie an AP who gets a bump in pay for performing the principal duties. Basically it’s a temporary promotion. This person could apply for and be hired as the new principal if that’s the situation.

An interim principal is someone that is hired to serve as principal. This would typically be someone who is a retired principal and returning for a limited time period while a new principal is being hired.

Good examples in the last decade would be

The new principal at lane elementary went from acting to school principal

Anytime dale rumburger was brought back from retirement as interim until new school principal was named