Anonymous wrote:There are some truly wonderful DCPS principals too so the having a lot of power thing cuts both ways.

Any thoughts on the immediate past principal at Marie Reed (not 25-26 one) who was there for so many years?

There are some truly wonderful DCPS principals too so the having a lot of power thing cuts both ways.

Not surprised considering that’s how she ran her school before she’s was moved to Central Office involuntarily. The DCPS way.

Anonymous wrote:My experience is it varies widely based on Instructional Superintendent. The Cluster IV IS has a grip of death on principals I previously respected as willing to standup for what their schools need.

Thank you for this topic. As mentioned it’s a corrupted system and all unions agree. It’s about how much can they do legally without getting into lawsuit. I believe principals should be rotated throughout the system. Different assignments to help them grow their leadership. Assignments with them leading ppl and not. Also, surveys don’t matter and teachers get retaliated on when they give anonymous feedback. No one is checking the system.

Anonymous wrote:Any sense as to whether DCPS is different than other districts though?

One way DCPS is different is the lack of tenure. In other districts observations and evaluations aren’t as punitive because you aren’t always at risk of losing your job. In DCPS you can be a highly effective teacher for years and then suddenly get developing and be at risk of getting fired. They have weaponized the evaluation system creating a culture of fear and resentment. Same for principals—they are looking out for their own evaluations.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any sense as to whether DCPS is different than other districts though?

Yes, the power they wield is different. MoCo has a better system overall. Is it perfect? No.

Principals can also be fired. I promise if they are blatantly acting like the current Takoma principal they’d be fired.

Isn't the whole thing in MoCo that the superintendent is terrible and wildly powerful and also a bunch of principals, including the one who was eventually (only after awhile) fired for sexual assault, get re-hired easily sometimes by the district office?

I feel like crap like that will happen in any large district. Even in DCPS you have a district imposing fines for ethics violations (working 2nd job on DCPS time) on an IS and then lets them continue keeping both jobs because DCPS is benefitting from the 2nd job.