Principals in Seattle Schools - More Troubling News
The Board is scheduled to vote on the principals' contract (PASS) at Wednesday's Board meeting. Here's the agenda item. I have not read it but I'm sure it's the airtight instrument it always seems to be. Also disturbing - it's an Intro/Action BAR so very little time for any public input despite the deep and lasting effects that a principal can have at a school.
Let's take this year's worst example - Emily Butler Ginolfi - the current principal of Washington Middle School. After her slash and burn style at WMS, which included flipping schedules at the semester break, posting in cafeteria students on detention list (which she denied being okay with but public disclosure docs show otherwise), limiting bathroom time as well as a hearing officer finding she had verbally abused a black Sped student, she is being exited at WMS. The climate survey for staff found the numbers plummeting. While the rest of the districts' school staffs said, by 71%, that their school had a "professional culture," just 31% of WMS staff said that.
And yet, she's being allowed to go somewhere else in the district but she has been demoted to being an assistant principal. Superintendent Juneau sent her a letter dated April 26, 2019 that says (in part):
Mercer MS is losing their principal and if they promote someone at Mercer to fill that position, that could mean an open AP spot there. Also, as I previously reported, two of West Seattle High Schools' APs have been busy created a charter high school which as approved by the Washington State Charter Commission this spring, so I suspect they will both be gone.
This is a pity for the next school community but perhaps with supervision, she'll do less damage elsewhere.
I have also heard that Bailey Gatzert Elementary is having principal issues with at at least a few parents giving up and changing schools. The principal there is Laurie Kazanjian and, apparently, staff voted no confidence in her. She's a novice principal that SPS chose to put at a Title One school with one of the highest rates of F/RL in the district AND she had allegedly had a previous "no confidence" vote at her prior school where she was an assistant principal.
Apparently many of the families who are unhappy are in the Somali community. The word was that they were planning a protest but it was not clear when that might happen.
As I have been reflecting over the years I have written the blog, I can say principals and principal placement has been consistently one of the top concerns for parents.
Let's take this year's worst example - Emily Butler Ginolfi - the current principal of Washington Middle School. After her slash and burn style at WMS, which included flipping schedules at the semester break, posting in cafeteria students on detention list (which she denied being okay with but public disclosure docs show otherwise), limiting bathroom time as well as a hearing officer finding she had verbally abused a black Sped student, she is being exited at WMS. The climate survey for staff found the numbers plummeting. While the rest of the districts' school staffs said, by 71%, that their school had a "professional culture," just 31% of WMS staff said that.
And yet, she's being allowed to go somewhere else in the district but she has been demoted to being an assistant principal. Superintendent Juneau sent her a letter dated April 26, 2019 that says (in part):
Your specific assignment for the 2019-2020 school year will be determined once all vacancies for Assistant Principals are known. Although a precise Assistant Principal assignment cannot be provided at this time, you will be assigned to a position under the PASS Collective Bargaining Agreement......It ends with:
Thank you for your services as Principal at Washington Middle School this school year and I wish you success in your new assignment.Now, this doesn't mean Butler Ginolfi will stay in SPS; she might leave. But if she does stay, I can think of a couple of places she could end up.
Mercer MS is losing their principal and if they promote someone at Mercer to fill that position, that could mean an open AP spot there. Also, as I previously reported, two of West Seattle High Schools' APs have been busy created a charter high school which as approved by the Washington State Charter Commission this spring, so I suspect they will both be gone.
This is a pity for the next school community but perhaps with supervision, she'll do less damage elsewhere.
I have also heard that Bailey Gatzert Elementary is having principal issues with at at least a few parents giving up and changing schools. The principal there is Laurie Kazanjian and, apparently, staff voted no confidence in her. She's a novice principal that SPS chose to put at a Title One school with one of the highest rates of F/RL in the district AND she had allegedly had a previous "no confidence" vote at her prior school where she was an assistant principal.
Apparently many of the families who are unhappy are in the Somali community. The word was that they were planning a protest but it was not clear when that might happen.
As I have been reflecting over the years I have written the blog, I can say principals and principal placement has been consistently one of the top concerns for parents.
Comments
-Let’s Talk
This comes as she led the school to no longer offer the Montessori choice program after this year (some of the upper grades may still have it next year but not after). While Montessori is going away for a "One Program" setup, there is not any decision or clear plan on what the one program will be.
The school is Title One and has a highly diverse student body in terms of race, enthnicity, language, and socio-economics.
Junction Parent
WS parent
Junction Parent
https://www.seattleschools.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_543/File/District/Departments/School%20Board/18-19%20agendas/June%2026/128823-U%20Formal%20Compliance%20Notice.pdf
Mr. Pilling
President Mack are you listening? Harris you are now McLaren and need to move on.
Mr. POed
-Aida Fraser-Hammmer, who has been reported to her boss Dr Pritchett several times by parents that have no confidence or have made the decision to leave Chief Sealth. Also, last time I checked she had three grievances pending.
Miss Apatos
Morgan Junction
A Message from the Social Studies Teachers: The Social Studies Department invites you to learn more about the integration of Social Studies Classes for the 2019-20 school year. We are hosting an evening event on June 20th, 6 pm to share our vision.
It has become increasingly apparent that the segregation of students in Social Studies based on the academic services they receive is neither sustainable nor the right thing to do, especially because it has racially segregated our students and school community. Social Studies teachers have committed to integrating all three grade levels for the 2019-20 school year in order to support one another in this process.
We know that there will be new and different challenges for ourselves, our students, the WMS community, and families; however, we are ready to step up to this challenge because we believe it is what is best for our students, our classes, our families, and the whole community.More information about this change will be shared at a community meeting in the WMS Library on June 20th at 6 pm. Our goal with this change is that WMS become part of a consistent experience that can address long-simmering segregation issues while providing new approaches to Social Studies rigor for everyone. Please join us on June 20th, 2019 at 6 pm in the WMS Library to learn more.
Thank you, Washington Middle School Social Studies Department
---------------------
Now how a real administrator does it.
The educators at Jane Addams are committed to take one step ahead in preparing all students for a rigorous learning experience in a diverse and inclusive setting. Currently, Social Studies classes at JAMS are offered by program with General Ed and HCC students experiencing social studies learning in separate classrooms. Beginning during the 2019-2020 school year, Social Studies classes will be fully inclusive with class makeup representing the beautiful diversity that is Jane Addams. Social Studies educators have worked this spring to create plans that include a shift in teaching, assessment, and student learning. We are looking forward to the experience that this will provide for our young people. Come to an information session at 7:00pm next Wednesday, June 12, in the JAMS library, to learn more.
NBG - 6
This two-tiered system within a building is actually segregation.
MW like to play it likes she's woke.
ButShe Ain't
A rose by any other name and all that.
They are both saying the same thing!
Segregation sucks, especially in classes like SS where students, in real time, can learn actual social studies from each other.
Who really cares which letter was more P.R. savvy? The teachers are making a plaintive plea and they're tired of being participants in immortality.
Bubble Much?
Segregation is not the right word for that.
We should also be growing our own superintendents.
If we had a healthy culture.
My experience was that we had an interim principal who was new to the state, but moved here to be closer to an adult child.
The superintendent came to the PTA and pledged that if we allowed the interim, and it didn’t work, he would implement a national search.
Well, if we were honest we knew that wasn’t going to happen, but still we thought we could give it ago.
Fit was awful, they tried (& mostly succeeded) at removing long-standing programs that were important to the community despite being an interim.
Did not have good relationship with pta , blew off planned meetings.
We did not choose to rehire, citing it just wasn’t good fit, but even that got their back up, and they gloated to our face that the principal union would find them a position elsewhere.
I believe they were moved to administration in Stanford build.
Principals make all the difference, we should be choosing them carefully.
Fat chance
Too many are on a ruthless fast track and more than a few have inadequate teaching experience.
The are fronting as "instructional leaders" but often resent the actual teachers who have developed expertise through commitment and experience.
Pathetic
I also love the fact that the equity warriors like fwiw and Devin Bruckner like to forget the fact that it is not segregation when you have these numbers: "This current school year, 174 students of color are receiving AL or HC services at Washington. And 229 students of color are not receiving AL or HC services." Thanks #s. Unfortunately I haven't verified them but if it is even 10% of that the ceiling-droppers are not allowing black students to learn to keep hcc kids back so they aren't pushing the bell curve away from those struggling with life and school.
You cried wolf and
WolfpoopedINMOUTH
ButSheAin't, you are factual wrong. HCC policy does not allow excluding anyone. That program is open to all. That it has played out poorly in some schools doesn't make it the problem but those who allow that. As well, John Stanford said that it should not be placed within another school and yet no one listened.
TeacherMom, you are absolutely right; many hats for a principal to wear. Some are better than others at some tasks. I recall an early elementary principal we had who pointed this out to me. I would say instructional leader, budget guru and engager-in-chief with families are the most important ones.
To me, the job of principal is to be able to navigate the difficult job of leading a school in a way that does please all three groups--not all parties in each group, but each group, in general. Yes, there will always be some individuals who don't like your approach, but, for the most part, your job is to find a way that works best with the tools--and various groups--you have. Transparency can often do wonders, even if there are unpopular decisions to be made. If parents, students, and staff can all see that you are generally working on everyone's behalf, they'll be more accepting of decisions they might not like.
HF
Also, I just heard a piece about Bailey-Gatzert on NPR. Sounds like a terrible and unsafe situation for the students. The staff voted "no confidence" in the principal this year - that's at least twice for this particular individual. Not a good track record, SPS.
Think different(ly)
Well good luck with that!
Ben S.
Another Reader
Signed,
FREE!!!!!!
HP
quaker
FHS
Ah, I see FHS had some more detail. I'm pretty surprised because I thought Franklin (and Wiley) were doing well.
Quaker, do watch out with pointing out the issues - the many,many issues - of that particular ED. (I'll note that I have criticized all of them at one time or another but SP seems to have more troubled schools than most.) If you want to criticize anyone, it should be Mike Starosky. He oversees all of them.
Another Quaker
Longtime reader and supporter but still wonder how issues such as those at Franklin can get reported to you when posts that "go to" such issues get regularly deleted?
How would issues such as "dating" between administrators, administrator/teacher "dating" and even administrator/classified employee "dating" would even get past you deletions?
THAT'S how these things escape notice so long that virtually no rules, policies or laws remain unbroken.
Culture of Lawlessness has grown every year you have been doing this blog.
I prefer if people directly contact me AND give me their name. I am loath to print somethings (like dating) without that. As you say, it's not against the law or district policies. That it may make life at a school more difficult, well, that's another issue.
Nice, huh?
Why didn't we see THAT coming?
You "infer"/ I "imply".
But no, I was just saying it's downward descent has increased.
Sorry.
50 students were recieving an E in math because they all didn't do their work.
Complaints were lodged with Pritchard and the Ombudsman all year long and nothing. Parents started to take kids out of Meany and nothing was being done.
It took a meeting with Pritchards boss with attorneys present for them to offer a pass/ fail for all of the students.
No reprimand or training for Oatis. Nothing.
Again it's a Pritchard issue. Why is it she is behind at least a dozen problematic principals. I can remember Kelly Archer at Stevens and Colman Stump at Lowell. On and on and on, Pritchard needs to be removed.
Musical Chairs
Readers, it is alleged that the principal dated quite a few members of her teachers and staff which, of course, is neither illegal nor does it violate Board policy. Does it violate any PASS contract items? I don't know but best practices in business certainly suggest that anyone in leadership should not fraternize with those that work under them.
Again,I am mystified at how much power principals have AND how much they can get away with.
And, as always, still don't get the role of Executive Directors.
Land of Oz
You asked about Vance. He may have done well at Roosevelt, but WSHS does not seem to be a good fit, especially after the generally positive tenure of Ruth Medsker who seemed to bring the school back from the abyss. Lacks basic people skills, is a poor public speaker and does not exude the confidence of a leader and seems awkward around students and parents. The two APs who are leaving to form a charter school do not have a good working relationship with him I have been told; many parents have complained he does not follow up and ignores their issues; some parents with students of color at the school claim he does not get the issue of institutional racism and has no idea how to address it; has not adequately supervised the athletic department, the AD or the AP who does, and we now have the issue of a coach facing criminal charges at the school, and on and on. These are some of the issues I have heard around WS after talking to folks and witnessing some it firsthand.
WS Parent
Junction parent
WS Parent
This is my experience.
YEP
It was ruled by OSPI that RHS under Vance was parking SPED students in studies skills classes and not providing SDI.
RHS under Vance failed to provide SPED services to a student and the parent's grievance process resulted in the largest SPS FERPA violation in SPS history.
SPED Parent
I'm waiting.
Re flux
Wondering
What training and support exists for principals to get better at what they do? What are executive directors doing to support principal excellence? Meantime, evidently SPS has said "no thanks" to a principal leadership program run by Challenge Seattle: Many other King County districts said "yes please." Why would SPS turn down an opportunity for principals to learn and improve?
Concerned parent
The PROOF is in the harassing emails (on Franklin).
High school principals in Seattle don't get fired for violating "best practices" or "fraternizing" (culture of lawlessness).
Best idea is letting her abilities shine at Stand with Liv and Lisa M.
They must be proud.
Principles make over $150K with incentives if you add-in benefits that makes it one of the primer jobs in Seattle pay wise. They also get 28 days of vacation 2 personal days, 13 holidays and 13 sick days per work year. It's interesting that SPS gives each principle $1.5 million dollars in liability protection. I wonder if that has ever been used? It seems the district always just pay out of it's emergency funds every time there's a settlement.
Just facts
YEP
2018-19: $154,875 at WSHS
2017-18: $147,242 at WSHS
2016-17: $150,877 at RHS
2015-16: $145,615 at RHS
2014-15: $137,658 at RHS
2013-14: $136,077 at RHS
The new principal at RHS
2018-19: $158,835 at RHS
2017-18: $147,893 at RHS
2016-17: $135,329 secondary vice principal at RHS
2015-16: $125,764 secondary vice principal at RHS
2014-15: $120,496 secondary vice principal at RHS
2013-14: $115,929 secondary vice principal at RHS
Easy look up here:
http://data.kitsapsun.com/projects/wa-school/district/17001/
I know someone who got an email from (former?) Franklin principal today.
Bet that comes in handy over at Stand for Children.
She may just be home cashing settlement checks after all.
That said, if you have that email, I’d like to take a look at it.
And it looks like they are asking for more this year.
Ouch
Ouch
When ones Facebook page says: "Works at Stand for Children", I presume it's not just a summer job.
I am equally presuming that the recipient of the harassing emails is preparing for HER settlement.
Dig Deeper
I happen to be a POC. I have sat with Vance and talk about this very issue. I am wondering how many times you have actually taken the time to go to his office and deal with this. Be part of the solution!
And I will tell you: I am working hard to get the district to make it MANDATORY for principals to take race and equity training. The materials are there. We need the principals to take their bodies there. I am persistent and IT WILL HAPPEN.
YEP
Dig Deeper
No need to get hot under the collar, it seems to me like we are on the same team except I get you have made no attempt to sit with Brian Vance so you cannot comment on your real interaction with him because there has been none.
I am not disregarding other's experiences, good or bad. I shared my positive experience and if you cannot take that then, that is on you.
Peace.
YEP
When you say there seems to be a lot of animus towards principals here. As far as I can see, it is a rather thankless job in Seattle where there are lots of 'high maintenance parents', are you intending to suggest that Seattle parents are somehow more demanding than parents elsewhere?
Or maybe the problem is that SPS principals are not as good, or, that JSCEE's procedures and shenanigans and general lawlessness put principals in exceedingly difficult positions. Or maybe it's a chicken-and-egg situation. JSCEE screws up, principals have to try to deal but can't really, so parents get frustrated. Rinse and repeat, and parents are even more frustrated. Potential principals see all this and steer clear, so the principal pool is a little weaker, then JSCEE makes bad hires, problems ensue, parents get more frustrated, etc.
I've been in other districts in other states, and we did not have these same issue. The parents I knew there had just as high expectations--it's just that those expectations were generally met. There is a level of educational bonkers-ness here that is really not typical...and parents--rightfully, in my opinion--react. I guess you could say I was a low-maintenance parent when I was in another district, but now that I'm in SPS I'm a high-maintenance parent. I don't think it's because I've fundamentally changed--I think this district has driven me to it.
For the most part, I don't thing the parents are the problem.
just me
This is the third district I've worked for, however I will say that I was only at the first two for three years each so I have less experience to speak of.
Comparing all the principals I've worked for, most were good, some not so good, and some very good- just like teachers and other staff I've worked with and just like I imagine it is in most jobs.
I will say that in the past 24 years since I've been teaching, the public (which is of course parents) have become more demanding of what they expect schools to do. Principals are now expected to deal with issues that don't even happen on campus, like cyber-bullying, on Metro, or in the neighborhood.
My comment was really about people making accusations without having to face the person they are accusing. That just seems wrong to me.
Science Teacher, I think there are many more asks of both teachers and principals today. I think one reason that some initiative rollouts are slow may not be because teachers and principals don't want them - they just don't know where to put them and how to find time to figure it all out.
Ah the Internet where you can say truly unpleasant things or half-truths or falsehoods without revealing who you are. But I can say that many parents fear retribution from teachers or principals if they do reveal themselves. It's a problem.
In the end, it's about communication.
Reader
I agree that the public--not just parents, it's the wider public, including our political system--has become more demanding of what they expect schools to do. I would go further and say that some of these expectations are simply unrealistic, but that's where we are. So yes, being a principal is a hard job, and the expectations may not be realistic.
However, it's not just principals. Teachers have to deal with more issues, too. So do parents. And students. Like the cyber-bullying issue you mentioned, there are many others--such as more diverse attitudes re: LGBTQ youth; online exposure to inappropriate content; increased stress over college admissions; widening income disparities; increased security threats; etc. The world has changed, so naturally the job of principals has changed, too. Things are more complicated for most of us--but that doesn't give principals a pass. It's just a harder job than before in many ways.
Yes, anonymous accusations can be problematic. However, it's not necessarily the case that these individuals have not already spoken with the principal (or whoever it is) that is the subject of their "accusation" (or maybe more appropriately, "criticism"). Often it's only after you feel you've hit a dead end--as an individual, as a parent group, as a school community--that you start going more public with your criticisms. Sometimes it takes that sort of daylight to get traction. And like it or not, there are definitely some parents who fear principals/teachers/staff/administrators will "retaliate" against their child(ren) if they speak out. Additionally, it's important to note that personal conversations with those in charge are often ignored because there's no official record, yet email communications that create an official record are also subject to FOIA requests that often identify families and can expose unwanted personal information. There are very legitimate reasons for a forum that allow for daylighting potential issues. People should obviously not take anonymous (or even name-linked) comments as fact, but sometimes knowing that there's a critical mass of individuals with negative experiences with a particular public servant is essential for building momentum for necessary actions. If that means principals need to be more careful and thoughtful in their conversations, so be it.
just me
Chris Morningstar
Ed James (retired - came out of retirement after Chris Morningstar left North Beach Elem)
Martin Floe (Ingraham)
These great principals could teach new principals a lot. Especially about service to parents and students.
-WorkshopMaybe?
I wouldn't.
Curious
Fairmount Parent