Elementary Principals reassigned

[JD]

Apparently, for no other reason than "because these things happen all the time" the principals at RES and GES have been reassigned. Mr. Austin will now be the principal at GES, and Mrs. Gordon will now be reassigned to RES.

Apparently, our superintendent wants to create dischord at every possible opportunity.

[JD]

I can't help but think this is a vendictive move on Dr. U's part.


And it raises an interesting situation.....
Mrs. Gordon will now be the direct supervisor/boss of her daughter in law, and Mr. Austin will now be the direct supervisor/boss of his wife...unless there is more upheaval planned.

[JD]

I want everyone to be able to view the SOL scores for the schools for the last 3 years. School Board member has indicated to parents that SOL scores have been dropping at RES, and this information, from the GCPS website itself, indicates that there is no truth in his statements.

See for yourself:
http://www.glnd.k12.va.us/index/schools/SOL/

[JD]

Jo D has asked me to copy a post she made on the google group here:

Its worse than we think . Last night I had a conversation with Drew
Meng where I was informed by him . That they felt they either had to
move Stacy or fire him. When I attempted to explain to him that Stacy
was well loved amongst the parents . I was told false facts about test
scores for RES .(He said that they were down 25% which Treve corrected
him on and and has sent him a link explaining that RES was only down
on one set in the last 3 years that was writing and that was 5%). I
was also told that I don't know whats best for my children . I think I
do but I don't and that they the SB and she DR U are responsible for
the SOL score that our chiildren produce.That's right folks you can
thank Drew Meng for any 600's .
I sincerely believe they have crossed a line into Neverland now.

[Concerned Parent]

As  parent of an upcoming 1st grader at  Randolph Elementary School; I am appalled that Linda Underwood, School Superintendent takes it upon herself to switch the principals of Randolph Elementary School & Goochland Elementary School without first consulting with the parents of both schools letting them know her recommendations and their input concerning the matter.  During the 2009-2010 School Year I never once saw Ms. Underwood attend anything at Randolph Elementary School; therefore how does she know what is good for the parents and students of the school.  By the switching of the principals she is not only disrupting them, but how is Mr. Austin going to be direct supervisor of his wife and Mrs. Gordon going to be supervisor of her daughter in law? 

Her story is that the SOL scores had dropped and that he could be reassigned, allowing him to stay on staff.  However if you look at the scores on the Goochland County Public Schools Website you can see that this false information.  If you look at the results of the test scores Mr. Austin’s percentages increased from 2008 to 2009 in every subject except for writing which was unchanged from 2008 to 2009.  By these statistics it appears that Mr. Austin was in fact doing his job and the students were succeeding in all areas. 

Ms. Underwood and the School Board apparently know what is best for our children when we as parents do not, at least that is the picture they are painting.  There is no communication between the Superintendent and School Board to the parents, it seems that they think they do not have to answer to anyone.  Ms. Underwood has shown this in several instances with this one being the latest issue arising. a

 

[JD]

Throughout this years budget process, the superintendent has always found a way to distract the parents, this may be nothing more than that. Or perhaps the strategy is to divide parents. Either way, parents will always have the uniting factors of dislike and distrust of the superintendent.

[Kristin]

I have only had positive experiences with Mrs. Gordon.  My children have never interacted with Mr. Austin, but he gets rave reviews from every parent I have ever spoken to and he is impressive in school board presentations.  So I don't have any issue with either of them being principal at the school my children attend.  But I admit that I am truly stumped at what the real motivation could be.

Moving them between schools means breaking up any team-building between that school's teachers and administration.
Moving them between schools means breaking any ties between the principals and the parents.
If it *were* true that one of them were underperforming, what does that say to the teachers, students, and parents of the school on the receiving end of that individual?  (Clearly the published SOL scores don't bear that argument out.)

I am waiting for the logic here . . . . .

. . . . . by now if I've learned anything, it's that I'll be waiting a long time.

[JD]

Agreed Kristin, both have their strengths, and I'm sure their weaknesses. Both are fine administrators.

Your question is an extremely valid one.