Anonymous
Post 05/21/2014 21:54     Subject: Re:Hearst Principal Resigns. Impact on School?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Former Eaton parent who lived through the Dr. Drakeford year. It was not a great year for Eaton.
From what I witnessed that year, parents and teachers were not satisfied and then she left after only one year (thankfully-imo). One day in July, we got a robocall saying that she was leaving.
Please, ask lots of questions, get lots of references, take a good look at all the different schools that she spent only a short amount of time at. If you can, talk to peole at those schools.


Also, it should be "Dr." Drakeford in quotes. She called herself "Dr" but it turned out, at least at the time, that she didn't have a Ph.D. or Ed.D.!


Right! Forgot about that little detail. That was very annoying. Hearst community-be careful!
You have been through the selection process before-you know it can work to strengthen your community even more.
I hope you find the perfect principal.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2014 20:49     Subject: Hearst Principal Resigns. Impact on School?
She has done a fantastic job.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2014 20:44     Subject: Re:Hearst Principal Resigns. Impact on School?
Anonymous wrote:Interesting, if true, that the principal is leaving in part for a shorter commute. Or at least that she will be closer to her home. I think the Murch principal said he lived out near Winchester.

Perhaps DCPS could provide a housing stipend or something that would allow closer-in candidates to consider these spots? Perhaps if principals lived closer to the community they would have a better work-life balance and stay longer?

Not sure, just wondering out loud with my fingers.


Commute was definitely a factor in Dr. B's decision-- she lives in Manassass, which is where her new job is. Plus she has 4 kids (the youngest is in middle school) so a housing stipend wouldn't have helped her situation. When she was hired everyone knew that she probably wouldn't stay very long but the committee made the decision that she was the best candidate and that the school wanted her, even if it was for a limited time.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2014 19:35     Subject: Re:Hearst Principal Resigns. Impact on School?
Interesting, if true, that the principal is leaving in part for a shorter commute. Or at least that she will be closer to her home. I think the Murch principal said he lived out near Winchester.

Perhaps DCPS could provide a housing stipend or something that would allow closer-in candidates to consider these spots? Perhaps if principals lived closer to the community they would have a better work-life balance and stay longer?

Not sure, just wondering out loud with my fingers.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2014 16:26     Subject: Re:Hearst Principal Resigns. Impact on School?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Hearst has so much faculty turn over. It would make me nervous to have my kid there. Teachers leave left and right with little to no warning. Take for example, the 2nd grade teacher who just up and quit a few weeks ago and gave no notice.


Troll. One teacher left with little warning. One. Beyond that I don't think that teacher turnover is much higher than at other DCPS institutions, and is much lower than at many charters that rely primarily on younger staff, many from TFA. Quite frankly, teaching is a very hard job, DC is a transient city with high costs, and hiring good people means that they will move on to more attractive opportunities. And the Hearst community also has quite a number of strong, long-serving teachers who we simply love and who provide continuity and mentoring to new staff.


+1 that the PP is a troll. Clearly they are not enrolled in the school. I have toured the school and many, many of the teachers have been there a number of years and very experienced and dedicated. The poster claiming something about faculty turn over is welcome to tour the school if they are so interested. For example, the librarian has been there for many, many years and is excited about having input in the design of the new library that is being built in the new facility.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2014 16:12     Subject: Re:Hearst Principal Resigns. Impact on School?
Anonymous wrote:Hearst has so much faculty turn over. It would make me nervous to have my kid there. Teachers leave left and right with little to no warning. Take for example, the 2nd grade teacher who just up and quit a few weeks ago and gave no notice.


Troll. One teacher left with little warning. One. Beyond that I don't think that teacher turnover is much higher than at other DCPS institutions, and is much lower than at many charters that rely primarily on younger staff, many from TFA. Quite frankly, teaching is a very hard job, DC is a transient city with high costs, and hiring good people means that they will move on to more attractive opportunities. And the Hearst community also has quite a number of strong, long-serving teachers who we simply love and who provide continuity and mentoring to new staff.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2014 16:04     Subject: Re:Hearst Principal Resigns. Impact on School?
Hearst has so much faculty turn over. It would make me nervous to have my kid there. Teachers leave left and right with little to no warning. Take for example, the 2nd grade teacher who just up and quit a few weeks ago and gave no notice.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2014 13:34     Subject: Re:Hearst Principal Resigns. Impact on School?
Anonymous wrote:Former Eaton parent who lived through the Dr. Drakeford year. It was not a great year for Eaton.
From what I witnessed that year, parents and teachers were not satisfied and then she left after only one year (thankfully-imo). One day in July, we got a robocall saying that she was leaving.
Please, ask lots of questions, get lots of references, take a good look at all the different schools that she spent only a short amount of time at. If you can, talk to peole at those schools.


Also, it should be "Dr." Drakeford in quotes. She called herself "Dr" but it turned out, at least at the time, that she didn't have a Ph.D. or Ed.D.!
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2014 13:10     Subject: Hearst Principal Resigns. Impact on School?
Anonymous wrote:Who makes the actual hiring decision, the PTA or DCPS? Thanks.


Pretty scary to think a PTA can hire a public school principal.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2014 12:52     Subject: Hearst Principal Resigns. Impact on School?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:PTA can recommend but DCPS makes the ultimate call.


It is not the PTA that recommends. It is the selection panel from the school, which is a multi-stakeholder group that includes a PTA representative. Others on the panels are an LSAT rep, the staff's WTU rep, a community rep, and teachers and parents who are elected by their respective constituents.


Sure. And despite all of those people, DCPS still makes the choice.


We've been through two principal selections at our our school and DCPS has always worked to secure the recommended candidate. It doesn't always work out as we've had recommended candidates take positions in other systems but I've never seen DCPS act in bad faith.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2014 12:50     Subject: Hearst Principal Resigns. Impact on School?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:PTA can recommend but DCPS makes the ultimate call.


It is not the PTA that recommends. It is the selection panel from the school, which is a multi-stakeholder group that includes a PTA representative. Others on the panels are an LSAT rep, the staff's WTU rep, a community rep, and teachers and parents who are elected by their respective constituents.


Sure. And despite all of those people, DCPS still makes the choice.


Well, maybe that's because DCPS employees them and DCPS is the one who holds them accountable and who has to deal with him/her if they turn out to be a bomb?
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2014 12:46     Subject: Hearst Principal Resigns. Impact on School?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:PTA can recommend but DCPS makes the ultimate call.


It is not the PTA that recommends. It is the selection panel from the school, which is a multi-stakeholder group that includes a PTA representative. Others on the panels are an LSAT rep, the staff's WTU rep, a community rep, and teachers and parents who are elected by their respective constituents.


Sure. And despite all of those people, DCPS still makes the choice.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2014 08:46     Subject: Hearst Principal Resigns. Impact on School?
Anonymous wrote:PTA can recommend but DCPS makes the ultimate call.


It is not the PTA that recommends. It is the selection panel from the school, which is a multi-stakeholder group that includes a PTA representative. Others on the panels are an LSAT rep, the staff's WTU rep, a community rep, and teachers and parents who are elected by their respective constituents.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2014 07:49     Subject: Hearst Principal Resigns. Impact on School?
Sorry to hear Dr. B is leaving. She was a breath of fresh air in DCPS.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2014 07:48     Subject: Hearst Principal Resigns. Impact on School?
PTA can recommend but DCPS makes the ultimate call.