tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post1808852420497981540..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: New Principal ReviewMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56889786277025762232011-10-25T10:44:57.807-07:002011-10-25T10:44:57.807-07:00Kim Fox Bryant Elementary. Sad to lose Linda Robi...Kim Fox Bryant Elementary. Sad to lose Linda Robinson's vision and direction. Kim Fox has enjoyed Linda Robinson's hard work and efforts. Never has a principal been so absent from the school and the community as Kim Fox is at Bryant. She is out of touch with the community has no connection to the children and has deteriorated a once vibrant staff. Kim is excellent at passing the buck as well as passing the responsibility of leading the school to new heights. Ms. Fox fails to contribute to Bryant events shows no leadership and still to this day three years later has not introduced herself appropriately in front of the parent community. She does not take the leadership role with any direction or responsibility to our community. Linda Robinson was a model Principal in every way and Whittier is lucky to have her. Countless parents who have dealt with Ms. Fox come away with the same dumbfounded response. How is this person running our school. Truth is the school is running itself wit great parent support and great teachers. But with out leadership it is easy to see how this school has transformed since Linda Robinson held the reigns.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-81198814543973976962011-06-06T21:42:56.672-07:002011-06-06T21:42:56.672-07:00The count for teachers targeted by Cothron McMilli...The count for teachers targeted by Cothron McMillian MLK is now up to at least 8. One teacher retired, of the 2 teachers that were on probation this this year, one does not get her contract renewed (basically fired), and the other one got off because Cothron was caught back dating formal observations, and filed a grievance against her.<br /><br />Other teachers are displacing themselves yet her iron-fisted rule still carries to their new school. They will be on a plan of improvement based on her observations! That just doesn't seem right.<br /><br />Another teacher is already on a plan of improvement for next year!<br /><br />Workplace bullying lives on at this school, mostly by Cothron McMillian.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15412943919450732012011-03-26T17:00:37.010-07:002011-03-26T17:00:37.010-07:00Ten staff members left MLK last year because of t...Ten staff members left MLK last year because of the "abusive and sometimes bullying behaviors" of Cothron McMillian. Her reputation for dividing schools and assassinating reputations are well-documented. Only four are on her list this year and one is already retired.<br />What is the point of the District permitting these negative redundant behaviors that do not construct but diminish the daily lives of those unjustly targeted? And the school? Is it any better? Just look at the state report card. Despite union sympathy with the victims, it is powerless here. Ongoing cronyism marches on!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90001234318102068042010-06-02T21:37:24.215-07:002010-06-02T21:37:24.215-07:00The new principal of Brighton, Cothron L. McMillia...The new principal of Brighton, Cothron L. McMillian is an ineffective leader due to her poor communication skills and lack of collaboration. She concerns herself with minutia rather than the larger issues. She listens to hearsay rather than facts. She has divided the staff and is just plain rude. I wish the district would keep better records on principals. Why do they get a clean slate when going to a new school? A principal who torments staff should not just be moved around the district, but replaced with more effective leaders who have respect for staff and student and value all.Travelbughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02846815859051842614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72506806162629272562010-04-11T13:38:29.090-07:002010-04-11T13:38:29.090-07:00Principals can go on leave for a number of reasons...Principals can go on leave for a number of reasons including personal health and family issues. If you track principal movement, you can see that some go on and off leave on a regular basis. Sometimes this is a red flag indicating a problem principal, as the District often uses "leave" as a means to remove a principal from his/her current post.<br /><br />I have no idea about the circumstance behind Ms. Cook-Weaver's or any other principal on this list's leave, so please don't automatically assume the aforementioned is the case. I'm just making an observation based on past experience with the District. You'd have to research each principal's history to get even close to the whole story—something to consider if any of the on-leave principals appear on your school's selection list.SolvayGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12709893209963350066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-82614996001713984842010-04-08T21:52:52.806-07:002010-04-08T21:52:52.806-07:00Why was DeWanda Cook-Weaver placed on leave?Why was DeWanda Cook-Weaver placed on leave?readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754095597231700863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49613997918746867572010-04-08T14:52:46.501-07:002010-04-08T14:52:46.501-07:00DeWanda Cook-Weaver was placed on administrative l...DeWanda Cook-Weaver was placed on administrative leave in January. Birgit McShane is interim principal at McGilvra.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12795753563127975720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49387813809782013312010-04-01T11:31:26.139-07:002010-04-01T11:31:26.139-07:00Justine -
Don't know for sure, but I suspect...Justine - <br /><br />Don't know for sure, but I suspect that the reason Hale's Dean of Students wasn't in the AP pool is because he didn't know he was looking for a new job . . .mom of 3https://www.blogger.com/profile/01770780086426399020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-37615327902089137972010-04-01T07:46:22.711-07:002010-04-01T07:46:22.711-07:00TechyMom, not to diminish anything about Mr King, ...TechyMom, not to diminish anything about Mr King, but the activities you mentioned about making Lowell a single community (assemblies, drama, school events) had already been in place for many years before the split in the APP program and the principal change. <br /><br />And with only 60 or so TTM kids that transferred to Lowell this year, not much was needed to integrate the two populations at school. With 300 APP kids at Lowell, the TTM kids pretty much had to go with the flow. Remember how the TTM teachers tried to kill the Lowell Way at the beginning of the school year and it came back anyway? That’s the advantage of having one group much larger than the other. The TTM population would have been assimilated into Lowell with or without those great programs which were already in place.Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02880805818739794300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40932231967951381682010-03-31T16:30:26.497-07:002010-03-31T16:30:26.497-07:00One more question....
If the Dean of students at ...One more question....<br /><br />If the Dean of students at Hale wasn't moved into the AP position, where would he go? Would he be placed in another school? Or be rif'd?seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01231800476411684686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-22525208362381097392010-03-31T16:19:48.642-07:002010-03-31T16:19:48.642-07:00Questions:
1) If the Dean at Hale has the credent...Questions:<br /><br />1) If the Dean at Hale has the credentials to be an AP, why isn't he in the AP candidate pool?<br /><br />2) What is the principals position on the Dean moving into the AP position? Does she support it?seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01231800476411684686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-41874207978077100952010-03-31T14:43:37.983-07:002010-03-31T14:43:37.983-07:00Frankly, I'm a lot more interested in tougher ...Frankly, I'm a lot more interested in tougher requirements around the professionalism and leadership skills of SPS principals than SPS teachers. I'll take a marginally effective teacher over a marginally effective principal any day if I had a choice. If SPS principals and VPs were uniformly up to par, that would do more for this district than 3/4ths of the current political shennanigans, students-moving-buildings swaps and teacher critiques are doing.Central Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05411595538958030193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43831265201969817812010-03-31T13:34:28.397-07:002010-03-31T13:34:28.397-07:00When our school tried to work with the District ab...When our school tried to work with the District about a Principal "with whom we were unhappy" the resulting process was a nightmare, despite the fact that 33 out of 36 staff members had voted no confidence (granted this was under the old regime). <br /><br />However, said principal has continued to bounce around from school to school, so it's obvious the District doesn't do much about it other than playing musical chairs.SolvayGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12709893209963350066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19908686430909954812010-03-31T10:53:52.298-07:002010-03-31T10:53:52.298-07:00I'm not sure how much anyone would want to com...I'm not sure how much anyone would want to comment about a Principal with whom they're unhappy - after all, they still have to deal with him or her.<br /><br />It's hard to say how things are going at AS1; we've acquired some teachers from Summit, all of whom are terrific. The "oldbies" at AS1 are working to come to grips with the changes at the school, and Roy is coming to grips with the oldbies as well. I don't think he really groks "alternative", but he's trying.<br /><br />I am puzzled that SPS tells us our enrollment will be down by 30 kids next year, despite the fact that open enrollment closes today. How the heck do they make THAT assumption? But I don't think that Roy had anything to do with that: it's just Word from On High.Josh Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242600011474990770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83461329836412688092010-03-31T10:00:19.573-07:002010-03-31T10:00:19.573-07:00- a few necessary Hale clarifications:
- the curre...- a few necessary Hale clarifications:<br />- the current Dean may not sit well with a few parents (With respect to Hale Parent - I certainly do not want to dispute or discount any interactions you may have had) but he is widely respected by parents, students and staff.<br />- Current Dean is qualified for AP position and has his admin credentials (and has had for several years). He is not currently in the pool, which seems to be a problem for SPS even though 20-25% of the AP promotions in SPS in the past few years have been to those who were not in the pool but were right for the job.<br />- the BLT did submit the same waiver they have for the past 12 years to convert the AP to Dean and for the first time it was rejected.<br />- the BLT did submit a formal request to Dr. Enfield to either have the current Dean promoted to AP or at least put in the pool to be interviewed. This was signed by most of the staff in support of the measure. No official word from the school has been given but the request seems to have been rejected as interviews have been underway.<br />- PTSA discussed their letter at their PTSA meeting before sending it. With all due respect, one can't expect a voice if one does not attend and elected leaders are elected to give voice to the body of the organization.<br />- the constant turnover of administration does put undue pressure on Hale, especially with major construction going on. To have a total turnover of new admin within a years time is not a healthy thing for the students, staff or families and it will effect the community negatively (IMO).<br />- I do like the metrics with which you have been talking about principals. Evaluating for being in the classroom and holding staff accountable and working with them to improve their practice as well as trying to replicate successful practices, promoting rigorous programs, community involvement, setting positive goals and relations with the staff and putting families, students and staff all on the same team with the same high goals are all things that make up a good principal.blogdaddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00138602260439750647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21582805378136606352010-03-31T09:46:26.744-07:002010-03-31T09:46:26.744-07:00Mr. King has been really great at Lowell. His exp...Mr. King has been really great at Lowell. His experience with both APP (his daughters are in APP) and TT Minor (where he was principal last year) has really helped him to lead this school to be a single community. There have been all-school events, drama classes, assemblies, and work with individual kids at recess, by both Mr. King and our councilor Ms. Harmon. From what I've heard about Marshall, Lowell is much farther along on becoming a single community. <br /><br />Mr. King has been responsive to parent needs, including asking for a math waiver to use Singapore. He attends PTA meetings and evening events, and has regular coffee hours with parents.<br /><br />Oh, and my daughter hugs him.TechyMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04650916001250022778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-12820957523042923902010-03-30T21:08:16.338-07:002010-03-30T21:08:16.338-07:00We have had the good fortune to have Clover Codd c...We have had the good fortune to have Clover Codd come to Alki Elementary this year. She has been a fabulous breath of fresh air. She is definitely an instructional leader, has a vision of success and how to get there. She actually tells the PTA that we shouldn’t be paying for some things that she already has budgeted for – the previous principal would never have been so transparent or to the point. The feeling I get from teachers is that it is a really welcome change. She is involved and shows up to all school functions and all PTA meetings. She has a positive attitude and demeanor that is infectious.yumpearshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13743377713821805012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-66592587748158239142010-03-30T19:53:51.766-07:002010-03-30T19:53:51.766-07:00Sadly, I chose against a Seattle option school bas...Sadly, I chose against a Seattle option school based on my interview with the principal. I initially fell in love with the school's website & parent comments, but the tour completely turned me off. I had expected to enroll my 2010 K there. The principal had been recently transferred to this school, and did not understand its mission statement well. He wasn't articulate, and seemed to be desperate for new students. It's really too bad, for this new principal must be one of the worst in the district & signals to me that SPS is not invested in making this option school work. The parents must be incredibly frustrated. Since I don't want to enroll my child in a school that is certain to close, it is not included on my open choice application.Jellyfishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05840329283837790962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42739073528724856902010-03-30T19:31:32.915-07:002010-03-30T19:31:32.915-07:00I often wonder about who speaks for whom within a ...<i>I often wonder about who speaks for whom within a school community also</i><br /><br />I felt this was a problem during the APP split discussions last year. When we first heard about it, the Lowell PTA went into it with a "let's make the best out of a bad situation" attitude instead of, what I believe might have been more effective, all guns blazing! Had they been able to rally everyone, perhaps things might have been different. (Remember, along the way, Montlake was going to move into Lowell; THAT community raised such a stink that those plans were gone in a matter of weeks. Of course, neither Hawthorne, Thurgood Marshall, nor TT Minor, had big PTAs to fight . . . look at them now.)<br /><br />stuStuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11769983958729170219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-939519430688977832010-03-30T17:51:44.984-07:002010-03-30T17:51:44.984-07:00I think that Hale Parent sounds like a good candid...I think that Hale Parent sounds like a good candidate for next year's Hale PTSA President! Being a PTSA President at the high school level is a ton of work, but I'm sure Hale Parent is up for it.<br /><br />Also -- Chris Carter has been a great addition to Hamilton this year. He has dealt skillfully with our new APP program and music program. And best of all -- he has been thinking and planning for what an International middle school might be. Thank you Mr. Carter! Mr. Carter's work has been especially welcome since the district has done almost nothing to plan for middle or high school international education.Isabel D'Ambrosiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09425963902792586721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-66256617123185210022010-03-30T17:05:39.200-07:002010-03-30T17:05:39.200-07:00mom of 3 I have been at Hale for a long time too, ...mom of 3 I have been at Hale for a long time too, and I do not like to see principal or admin turn over any more than you do. However, our opinions of the Dean of Students differ. I do not feel that he is effective. Heck, I don't even think he is competent. I'd much rather see a new Assistant principal, who may lack the institutional memory, but be effective, than see the Dean be promoted into a higher position.<br /><br />However, that was not my point.<br /><br />My point was that the PTSA chose to write a letter on behalf of an entire community advocating for the Dean to move into the Assistant principal position, without finding out if this is indeed was supported by the community.<br /><br />The PTSA at Hale does not post an agenda prior to their meetings so parents had no way of knowing this would be discussed (that is if it was discussed at a meeting), nor do they post minutes after their meetings. This information was not shared in a letter, and was not posted on the PTSA website. There was no robocall, or any other way form of communication. Yet, the PTSA felt that they had the right to speak on everyones behalf.<br /><br />In this case you happen to agree with the content of the letter. What if you didn't? Would you appreciate this action then?seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01231800476411684686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10281570653835691642010-03-30T16:20:32.755-07:002010-03-30T16:20:32.755-07:00Principal churn can be most upsetting to a school—...Principal churn can be most upsetting to a school—especially when each one wants to remake the school in their own vision. My experience with principal turnover at our public elementary (9 principals—counting interims—in SIX years) was one of the prime reasons we started looking at private schools.<br /><br />I learned from the experience that a principal can make or break a school and that a parent should never pick a school based solely on the principal.<br /><br />I noted that a couple of the principals we had in our revolving door years keep moving around the District. Two are on Melissa's list (though from the length of the list, it's hard to see who's NOT on it). Also...did you include the move of Lisa Escobar from Center School to RBHS?SolvayGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12709893209963350066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50463448506061317702010-03-30T15:37:33.974-07:002010-03-30T15:37:33.974-07:00Also, this isn't an SPS move, it is a Hale mov...Also, this isn't an SPS move, it is a Hale move. Prior principals and BLTs sought a waiver to the WSS to have a dean instead of an AP. Dr. Hudson and the current BLT must have made the choice to not seek a waiver and instead have two APs.Anandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04722022341566542767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73896431328751024762010-03-30T15:35:01.398-07:002010-03-30T15:35:01.398-07:00No offense, but if someone doesn't have the mi...No offense, but if someone doesn't have the minimum qualifications for the job, they should either go get them or move on. If the Dean of Students wanted to move up, he should have gotten administrative certification.Anandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04722022341566542767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-63764972945920831272010-03-30T15:06:55.906-07:002010-03-30T15:06:55.906-07:00Hale Parent,
To be fair, I think one concern of t...Hale Parent,<br /><br />To be fair, I think one concern of the PTSA is that both assistant principal positions are to be filled with new people as the current AP is retiring, and that Jill Hudson has only been at Hale for a year. In fact, there have been 5 principals in 8 years at Hale, which is a LOT of turnover, particularly with their very challenging remodel going on.<br /><br />I think Mr. Linett has been very effective in his work with students and, having been at the school a long time, brings some much needed institutional memory to the administration. Is it the best possible move? I don't know. But I do think the district needs to consider whether the school needs this administrative institutional memory at this time. We've had 3 principals in the 4 years my child has been at Hale, and I have found the turnover wearying.mom of 3https://www.blogger.com/profile/01770780086426399020noreply@blogger.com