Steve Maynard of the Tacoma News Tribune reports about the transfer of the Stadium High School principal Stadium Principal Transfer and the effect of the transfer:

Stadium High School Principal Jonathan Kellett is being reassigned as principal at Jason Lee Middle School in a move that has angered and upset Stadium parents.

Superintendent Art Jarvis announced last week that the transfer will go into effect July 1. Kellett, who became Stadium’s principal in summer 2001, was named Washington State High School Principal of the Year in 2007. Toni Pace, a director of secondary education for Tacoma Public Schools, told about 30 Stadium parents Wednesday that Kellett was being reassigned because the district needed a strong leader at Jason Lee, Stadium Booster Club president Tony Ortega said. “I felt we weren’t being listened to,” Ortega said of the meeting. “I think it’s the wrong decision.” Instead of searching for a new principal to succeed Kellett, Ortega said the district should hire someone else to lead Jason Lee and keep Kellett at Stadium. “He communicates really well with the students and the parents,” Ortega said. “He’s the right one to lead Stadium for quite some time.”

Kellett and Pace did not return calls for comment….

Nick Eaton of the Seattle PI also reports that the Seattle School District is transferring principals. Seattle Principal Transfers The district has these comments regarding principal transfers:

“The district announced on Tuesday the new appointments of eight administrators. It has previously announced other principal appointments. "This happens every year," district spokesman David Tucker said. "This is a little more of an anomaly … because of the fact that we had school programs that are closing." Among those being transferred are:

Katie Cryan-Leary, from Hamilton International Middle School to leave of absence.

Chris Carter, from the African American Academy to Hamilton.

Jo Shapiro, from McGilvra Elementary (principal) to Hamilton (assistant principal).

Dewanda Cook-Weaver, from Lowell Elementary (co-principal) to McGilvra.

What both school districts failed to comment upon is how these transfers are going to improve school effectiveness and contribute to student learning. How are these transfers going to improve not only the individual school, but help the school anchor its neighborhood? Maybe the district gave some thought to these questions, but the transfers are likely the result of administrative convenience.

The role of a principal according to the Iowa School Administrator’s Guide is to shape the culture of a school. Iowa Guide There are five key critical skills a principal must possess to effectively lead a school according to Colleen Seremet, et. al. Effective Principal :

Five performance areas have been identified as the critical leadership skills a principal must demonstrate to effectively lead a school in improving student achievement.

Promoting collaborative problem solving and open communication

Collecting, analyzing, and using data to identify school needs

Using data to identify and plan for needed changes in the instructional program

Implementing and monitoring the school improvement plan

Using systems thinking to establish a clear focus on attaining student achievement goals

These five areas are not a chronology of what a principal must do first, second, and third, but rather are cyclical in nature and must be demonstrated continuously throughout the school improvement process. The end product of this process is the school improvement plan, whereas the end goal for the process is improved student achievement.

There is a body of research literature about the effect that a principal leader has on a school. Leadership Characteristics that Facilitate School Change

How do the transferred principles rate according to this rubric? Does the community have a right to know?

Should parents and the community be involved in the decision to transfer a principal? Harried administrators and school boards probably don’t relish the idea of more public input, but it is important for schools to promote parent involvement and anchor their neighborhood. The Abstract to Comer and Haynes’ article “Parent Involvement in Schools: An Ecological Approach.” Parent describes the key ingredient in successful school and community interface which promotes good schools and quality education:

The meaningful involvement of parents in children's schooling can enhance the educational process. Parents can contribute insights and knowledge that complement the professional skills of schools' staffs in ways that strengthen academic and social programs. However, for parent involvement initiatives to be successful, they should be part of a contextually focused school improvement process designed to create positive relationships that support children's total development. Parent involvement programs that are instituted in traditional bureaucratic and inflexible school environments are less likely to yield positive results than those that are part of a more collaborative organizational structure….

What seems to be missing from both Tacoma and Seattle schools is not only parental involvement, but community involvement as well. Schools are not isolated little islands, but a key part of a successful neighborhood and community. Lack of community input is the principle problem with principal transfers.

That is what Dr. Wilda says about that ©