Principal selection process, Williams Magnet School

^ricansasDe: HURSDAY, MAY 5,1994 Magnet panel goes to bat for principal BY DANNY SHAMEER Democrat-Gazette Education Writer The chairman of the committee overseeing Little Rocks magnet schools threatened Wednesday to ask a federal judge to prevent Superintendent Henry Williams from unseating the principal at a magnet school. Bobby Altom, chairman of the Magnet Review Committee, backed off after Williams assured him that he would go before the committee first as required by a court order. The matter, though, doesnt appear to be over. We are still concerned about whos going to be in our u magnet schools, Altom said. No question about that. .Any time you change leadership or the appearance of leadership at a school, people loyal to that school become concerned. The days developments between the superintendent and the court-created committee unfolded quickly as talk spread about widespread reshuffling of principals across the Little Rock School District. More than a dozen schools could have new faces in the principals office next school g year. Five principals, includin
Dr. Ed Jackson of Williams Magnet Elementary School, got See PRINCIPALS, Page 11A Principals _ Continued from Page 1A letters from the district saying that because the superinten- ' dent was uncertain about their .positions next year, their contracts as principals would not be renewed. Instead, they would be re- hired for the next school year as unassigned. That would leave them employed at their existing salaries, but would allow the district to .either keep them in their cur- . rent posts or move them elsewhere. . Richard Hurley, the districts personnel director, confirmed the five principals names and schools: Jackson at Williams Magnet . Walter Marshaleck at Ma- belvale Junior High. Gayle Bradford at
Cloverdale Junior High. Levanna Wilson at Bale El-
ementary. Charity Smith at Southwest Junior High. : It was the letter to Jackson .that prompted the threat from Altom to take the matter to fed- eral court. '
Williams and Altom said another principal, Donna Davis, who heads Gibbs Magnet Ele-
mentary School, is resigning and taking early retirement. Davis
declined to comment Wednes- ^day. Hurley said the superinten- dent is negotiating with another
principal, .Mary Jane Cheatham :at Baseline Elementary, about other jobs in the district. The status of more than a dozen principals may change next year in the 52-school district. The district is under federal court supervision as part of the Pulaski County school desegregation case. The committee was set up to oversee ma^et schools, which offer academic themes to attract more white students into the district. U.S. District Judge Susan - Webber Wright said in a Nov. 5, 1992, order that the district must consult with the Magnet Review Committee and seek permission from the court before making any staffing changes at the magnet schools. Williams said in an interview Wednesday that he is assessing leadership and trying to find people to fill various slots in the district. No principal works for a school, Williams said. Every principal works for the school district and serves in the district in whatever capacity we need. We dont own the buildings
we work in the buildings. Our responsibility is to the district. Katherine Mitchell, a Little Rock School Board member, said she supports Williams decisions to make any changes he deems necessary. She said Williams has spent a lot of time in the districts schools. I think the changes will bring about positive results, Mitchell said. Change for change is one thing, but when youre making changes for reasons, it can be quite productive.FRIDAY, MAY 6.1994 Parents, staff lobby to keep principal : We want stability is one reaction to transfer from Williams Magnet BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Democrat-Gazette Education Writer . About 60 parents and staff .members from Williams Magnet
Elementary School praised
their principal Thursday and asked Superintendent Henry 4Williams to reconsider his de- Icision to move Dr. Ed Jackson elsewhere. d A Parent Richard Kalkbrenner called Williams the flagship -Jschool in Pulaski County. The A ,school has the highest test scores in the area and only a rimThimum of discipline prob- Iletfis, he said. He attributed its Success, in part, to Jackson.
In the South we have an ex- ^ pression, Kalkbrenner told the Iriew superintendent. Youve /.[Irobably heard it: If it aint l}roke, dont fix it. y < Williams met with the par- ients and staff members Thurs- .Iday afternoon at their request. J ' .The Arkansas Democrat- Gazette reported Wednesday Uliat Jackson, principal at Williams the last six years, has been rehired but not yet assigned to any school for the 1994-95 school year. More than a dozen principals in the districts 52 schools are expected to change next year because of retirements and involuntary transfers of principals. Williams did not name a new principal for the school, but said he hoped to make recommendations to the school board by late next week. He said he was awaiting retirement decisions from some people. He also said he hadnt ruled out the possibility of hiring one or more principals from outside the district. Parents and staff told Williams they feared a new principal wouldnt be as strong a disciplinarian or as good an influence on the pupils. Others said they feared an exodus of the current school staff and a period of instability as teachers and a new principal develop a working relationship. Others expressed a sense of betrayal, having selected Williams as their childs school based on the belief that Jackson would be the principal. Not all parents at the meeting Thursday expressed opposition to the change. Jerry Bradley objected to the schools PTA leaders taking a position on the principal and said he felt some racism was involved. The superintendent is black. Jackson and many of his supporters at the meeting are white. Bradley said that while he supported the Williams Magnet School concept, he has had extreme difficulty working with Jackson. Williams tried to assure parents and staff that he would not weaken the magnet school or place someone in the building who would destroy the program. As superintendent, his decisions must be based on what is best for the entire school district, not just one school, he said. The superintendent said he had detected some complacency in district schools and that sometimes when you stir the pot, good things at the bottom come to the top. That remark prompted one mother to say she didnt want the pot stirred. We want stability in the schools. We dont like scrambling, she said. Williams empathized with the parents and told of his own experience after being assigned the principals job at the worst school in Rochester, N.Y. The school led the league in the number of slashed tires, broken windows and Inexperienced teachers, he said. After the school became one of the top 10 in New York, Williams was assigned to an- ,other building against his wishes and those of the students parents. Williams moved to Virginia, ( but the Rochester school remained strong and was later visited by a U.S. president because of its record.C a/- May 16, 1994 Editor Arkansas Democrat Gazette East Capitol & Scott Little Rock, AR 72201 MAY 1 7 1994 Dear Editor: Office of Desegregation Monitoring The gross mishandling of the transfer of principals, especially Dr. Edwin Jackson, in the Little Rock School District (LRSD) for the past month has prompted me to write this letter. I have enclosed the Little Rock School District's 1993 Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) scores that have published in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. not (to my knowledge) been The high scores made by students in Williams Magnet School makes a powerful case for keeping Dr. Jackson in the most successful school in the city! In other words, "If it ain't broke, why fix it? Does it not surprise you that prominent Little Rock citizens. Governor Jim Guy T'ucker, Senator Jim Keet, and Arkansas Democrat Gazette Owner Walter Hussman, do not have their own children enrolled in Little Rock School District?! One can surely not blame them for enrolling their children in private schools with Little Rock School District's extremely low SAT scores as a clear indication of what is not being taught and/or learned in LRSD! If I have the correct information. Dr. Jackson has over 30 years administrative experience in the Little Rock School District, him the most tenured school administrator in the district. This makes He has been acknowledged by his peers in Arkansas and the nation as a National Distinguished Principal. When I had the pleasure of visiting Williams Magnet School I noticed pictures of Dr. Jackson being honored and recognized for his leadership by then governor, President Bill Clinton
by former Secretaries of Education, Terrell Bell and William Bennett
and by former First Lady, Nancy Reagan, that can boast these recognitions. I know of no other school administrator Dr. Jackson appears to be the one bright and shining star in the ranks of school administrators in not only this city but the state and nation. Obviously, Superintendent Williams, has complimented him by saying, "I'm moving my successful principals to schools that desperately need help. >1 I ask you to look at the SAT test scores of the schools on the list who have unassigned principals. I certainly "did not fall off the last turnip truck out of town." Just check the low scores of these schools - Bale, Baseline, Cloverdale, and Mabelvale - with unassigned principals. Dr. Jackson, according to Little Rock School District files, is 62 years old. It has been rumored that he plans to retire at 65. Why would a school district take the most tenured, successful principal in the most successful school and notify him that he would not be recommended for a principal's position in 1994 and that he would be unassigned? I don't know the answer to this guestion because it is so incomprehensable. Please, LRSD Board Members and Patrons, let Supt. Williams know that the community the superintendent' s boss and you have a voice in school district's future. our Sincerely, A Concerned, Taxpaying CitizenFUTURE PRINCIPAL SCHOOL LAST TYPE NAME FIRST NAME ASSIGNED SCHOOL 1993 SAT, COMPLETE BATTERY PR SCORES ..................GRADES-................. 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH 71H 8TH 9TH 1 VAC 2 HEINS 3 VAC BALE BASELINE FAIR PARK ELE ELE ELE 4 DAVENPORT fRANKLlH INCENTIVE ELE 5 WARD 6 VAC 7 ZEIGLER 8 VAC 9 DAVIS MABELVALE RCMINE INTERDIST WASHINGTON MAGNET WILLIAMS MAGNET WILSON ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE WILSON CHEATHAM HEINS DAVIS DAVENPORT WARD BUCHANAN JACKSON ZEIGLER 10 VAC 11 VAC 12 BUCHANAN 13 VAC 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 CLOVERDALE FOREST HEIGHTS 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 HENDERSON MAGNET MABELVALE OTTER CREEK TERRY BOOKER MAGNET FOREST PARK MCDERMOTT JEFFERSON CLOVERDALE BADGETT RIGHTSELL CARVER MAGNET GIBBS STEPHENS JR HI BRADFORD JR HI MAPLE JR HI WATTS LAVANNA PR MARY J BARBARA FRANKLIN JULIE LIONEL KAREN ED GWEN GAYLE RICHARD CLELL UNASSIGNED UNASSIGNED BASELINE WILSON ELE ELE FRANKLIN INCENTIVE? ELE MA3ELVALE HENDERSON MAGNET UNASSIGNED WASHINGTON MAGNET ELE JR. HIGH ELE 41 VAC FULBRIGHT WATSON WESTERN HILLS BRADY ISH GARLAND CHICOT WOODRUFF DOOD WAKEFIELD ROCKEFELLER MITCHELL PULASKI HEIGHTS MEAD OUCL IFF GEYER SPRINGS METROPOLITAN 38 28 13 39 27 34 34 33 33 31 25 29 46 12 40 30 44 35 35 54 29 38 55 27 27 34 39 43 31 45 48 29 34 57 42 57 47 48 49 53 49 56 84 83 69 81 73 80 80 43 49 4 7 34 39 JR HI KARSHALECK WALTER ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE UNASSIGNED EXPECT RETIREHT RETIRING UNASSIGNED 30 44 43 36 31 45 42 36 36 43 43 36 ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE VOC DILLAHUNTY OOYLE RETIRING 40 66 60 68 59 66 68 55 51 70 4 7 68 41 44 40 55 67 59 71 79 66 79 62 61 60 75 59 62 50 64 46 72 61 70 65 69 45 74 48 59 44 81 17 33 47 22 29 31 43 65 35 41 31 40 76 72 69 74 64 72 41 71 70 76 61 74 46 22 28 33 25 40 46 54 60 64 58 59 27 31 33 39 42 48 44 53 51 55 46 49 38 31 40 32 33 49 14 45 44 41 56 47 23 48 16 30 32 45 23 23 27 49 31 46 30 40 52 45 42 46 19 16 35 37 41 55 28 20 39 34 37 33 40 42 45 34 31 44 29 24 24 38 34 44 54 47 61 64 46 49 21 47 39 41 46 52 20 26 45 44 34 54Editor Arkansas Democrat Gazette East Capitol & Scott Little Rock, AR 72201 May 16, 1994 MAY 1 7 1994 Dear Editor: Office of Desegregation Monitoring The gross mishandling of the transfer of principals, especially Dr. Edwin Jackson, in the Little Rock School District (LRSD) for the past month has prompted me to write this letter. I have enclosed the Little Rock School District's 1993 Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) scores that have published in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. not (to my knowledge) been The high scores made by students in Williams Magnet School makes a powerful case for keeping Dr. Jackson in the most successful school in the city! ain't broke, why fix it?" In other words, "If it Does it not surprise you that prominent Little Rock citizens. Governor Jim Guy Tucker, Senator Jim Keet, and Arkansas Democrat Gazette Owner Walter Hussman, do not have their own children enrolled in Little Rock School District?! One can surely not blame them for enrolling their children in private schools with Little Rock School District's extremely low SAT scores as a clear indication of what is not being taught and/or learned in LRSD! If 'I have the correct information. Dr. Jackson has over 30 years administrative experience in the Little Rock School District, him the most tenured school administrator in the district. This makes He has been acknowledged by his peers in Arkansas and the nation as National Distinguished Principal. Magnet School I When I had the pleasure of visiting Williams noticed pictures of Dr. Jackson being honored and recognized for his leadership by then governor. President Bill Clinton
by former Secretaries of Education, Terrell Bell and William Bennett
and by former First Lady, Nancy Reagan, that can boast these recognitions. I know of no other school administrator a Dr. Jackson appears to be the one bright and shining star in the ranks of school administrators in not only this city but the state and nation. Obviously, Superintendent Williams, has complimented him by saying. It I'm I moving my successful principals to schools that desperately need help." ask you to look at the SAT test scores of the schools on the list who have unassigned principals. out of town." I certainly "did not fall off the last turnip truck Just check the low scores of these schools - Bale, Baseline, Cloverdale, and Mabelvale - with unassigned principals. Dr. Jackson, according to Little Rock School District files, is 62 years old. It has been rumored that he plans to retire at 6S. Why would a school district take the most tenured, successful principal in the most successful school and notify him that he would not be recommended for a principal's position in 1994 and that he would be unassigned? I don't know the answer to this guestion because it is so incomprehensable. Please, LRSD Board Members and Patrons, let Supt. Williams know that the community i^ the superintendent's boss and you have school district's future. voice in our a Sincerely, A Concerned, Taxpaying CitizenFUTURE PRINCIPAL SCHOOL LAST TYPE NAME FIRST NAME ASSIGNED SCHOOL 1995 SAT, COMPLETE BATTERY PR SCORES ..................GRADES.................- 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH 71H 8T1I 9TH 1 VAC BALE ELE UI LSON LA VAN NA UNASSIGNED 38 2 HEINS 3 VAC BASELINE FAIR PARK ELE ELE A DAVENPORT FRANKLIN INCENTIVE ELE CHEATHAM HEINS DAVIS 5 WARD 6 VAC Z ZEIGLER MABELVALE ROMINE INTEROIST WASHINGTON MAGNET ELE ELE ELE 8 VAC WILLIAMS MAGNET ELE 9 DAVIS WILSON ELE 10 VAC CLOVERDALE 1 1 VAC FOREST HEIGHTS DAVENPORT WARD BUCHANAN PR MARY J BARBARA FRANKLIN JULIE LIONEL KAREN UNASSIGNED BASELINE WILSON ELE ELE FRANKLIN INCENTIVE? ELE MABELVALE ELE JACKSON ZEIGLER ED GWEN HENDERSON MAGNET UNASSIGNED WASHINGTON MAGNET JR. HIGH ELE 13 27 34 33 48 47 84 80 28 39 34 33 31 29 48 83 43 25 40 29 35 A6 29 12 27 39 A3 34 57 A9 53 69 81 49 47 30 35 38 27 31 42 49 73 34 44 54 55 34 45 57 56 80 39 12 BUCHANAN 13 VAC 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 HENDERSON MAGNET MABELVALE JR HI BRADFORD JR HI MAPLE JR HI WATTS GAYLE RICHARD CLELL OTTER CREEK TERRY BOOKER MAGNET FOREST PARK MCDERMOTT JEFFERSON CLOVERDALE BADGETT RIGHTSELL CARVER MAGNET 2A 25 GIBBS STEPHENS 26 27 28 FULBRIGHT WATSON WESTERN HILLS 29 30 31 32 33 BRADY ISH GARLAND CHICOT WOODRUFF JR HI MARSHALECK WALTER ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE UNASSIGNED EXPECT RETIREHT RETIRING UNASSIGNED 30 44 43 36 31 45 42 36 36 43 43 36 ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE 34 35 36 37 38 39 AO 0000 WAKEFIELD ROCKEFELLER MITCHELL PULASKI HEIGHTS MEADOUCLIFF GEYER SPRINGS Al VAC METROPOLITAN ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE ELE VOC DILLAHUNTY OOYLE RETIRING 40 68 41 71 60 46 45 17 43 76 41 46 A6 27 AA 38 14 23 23 30 19 28 40 29 54 21 20 66 55 44 79 75 72 74 33 65 72 71 22 54 31 53 31 45 48 23 40 16 20 42 24 47 47 26 60 68 51 70 40 55 66 79 59 62 61 70 48 59 47 22 35 41 69 74 70 76 28 33 60 64 33 39 51 55 40 32 44 41 16 30 27 49 52 45 35 37 39 34 45 34 24 38 61 64 39 41 45 44 59 47 67 62 50 65 44 29 31 64 61 25 58 42 46 33 56 32 31 42 41 37 31 34 66 68 59 61 64 69 81 31 40 72 74 40 59 48 49 49 47 45 46 46 55 33 44 44 46 49 46 52 34 54* MAY-18-94 THU 14:26 SUSAN W WRIGHT FAX-NO. 5013246576 /7A rV/ P. 05 - 20 ^'Vj May 17/ 1994 Hon. Susan Webber Wright United states District Judge 600 West Capitol Ave. Little Rock, AR 72201 ^AY 19 S WSTSi ''? C?-' >-'y. 1334 Dear Judge Wright/ I am writing today. net only as an involved parent of Williams Magnet, but also of the Little Rock School District. As the individual staffing changes. with the final authority in all district I am addressing my concerns to you. I am concerned about the transfer of Dr. Ed Jackson from Williams Magnet to another school. This is a concern shared by what I feel is a majority of the parents, teachers. staff at the school. elementary enrolling because schools. My wife both public and and I investigated our oldest child at Williams. private. prior and many to We Ghose Williams of its discipline, accomplishments, reputation, strict I truly believe that and the presence and influence of Dr. Jackson. his role in the success of Williams Magnet can't be overated. When news of his transfer reached the school. there was an immediate outcry not to do this. The issue was brought to the attention of Dr. Williams, and he met with a group of parents to discuss the change. Dr. Williams prefaced the meeting by explaining that he was moving Dr. Jackson so that his Ke expertise also made could be used to strengthen a weaker school. justify, stand. it perfectly in his opinion, clear that unless we could changing that decision. it would As a business person, decision to try and use Dr. I can understand Dr. Williams another district, school. He is Jacksons abilities to improve not just williams. superintendent of the entire What I do not understand is his seeming indifference, and condescending attitude toward the legitimate at williams. concerns of the parents. teachers and staff If Dr. Williams truly feels that the transfer of Dr. Jackson is in the best interest of the district and you and However, the Magnet Review Committee agree, so be it. how can he make that decision without knowing who the replacement will be? I feel we have a right to know. cont.HAY-19-94 THU 14:27 SUSAN W WRIGHT FAX NO, 5013246576 P, 06 page 2 Hon. Susan Webber Wright It ' decisions would 1 and help their if he would be hesitant to explain justification. more Dr. open about his Williams seemed patents of the the changes in details schools involved have a Part rounds. of the problem are the Some say that this is a rumors that which I believe right to know. are making the Dr. Jackson and some of his superiors. personal problem between Another is that this is an attempt to get Dr. Jackson to retire, thus saving the district his salary which is said to be the highest of any elementary school principal. The most moving Dr. disturbing rumor is that Dr. Williams is friend, a These Jackson in order to replace him with a personal neighbor in fact/ from outside the district. rumors, and Dr. Williams reluctance to either confirm or dispel them, are basic to the conflict. One Williams final thought. as I attended the meeting with Dr. support for keeping Dr. Jackson. I could tell from his opening remarks that the decision was made, with no chance However, of reversal, another Williams decision. so I had decided to remain parent in attendance, quiet. made the statement a supporter of Dr. were trying to keep Dr. Jackson, that he thought we not for his abilities, but to prevent the placement of a black person as principal. He felt it was all racially motived. I then felt compelled to speak, making it clear that I don't care about the race of a principal, only in the education of my children. I can't speak for all the parents and staff there, but I personally was offended and angry. get two children into Williams, I have camped-out to and I'm planning to do the same for my third, all the while living in a predominately white is, elementary district. Race is not the issue. If it then I suggest making assistant Mitchel ths new principal. principal Deborah She is experienced in the Magnet School system,.she knows the Williams Magnet philosophy, and she is respected by the parents. teachers, and staff. We just want some assurance that this change is best interests of the students and not truly in the personal conflicts. I don' t believe this move IS standards, but on petty politics. based on I believe educational it is Dr. Williams flexing his muscles to show the district who's the boss / and he will never appearing weak. chanae his mind for fear of My wife wrote all of these concerns to the school board, and one member called her at home to let her know she was correct in her nothing that member could do. do. assumptions, but there was There is something you can cont- MAY'-19-94 THU 14:27 SUSAN U WRIGHT FAX NO. 5013246576 P. 07 page 3 Hon. Susan Webber Wright This ia that these important to the district. staff changes/ especially Dr. benefit William's Magnet as well as the district. Please make Jackson's, sure will Don't let a staring contest between administrators/ waiting to see who will blink first/ model schools. to copy/ tear down Williams's Magnet. Make it the not a source of material to patch other Thank you very much for your time. As a taxpayer and a parent/ I believe that it is not only my right but ray duty to question decisions that affect my children. believer in the saying I am a firm and so are my children"/ decision. "My heart is in the public schools/ and I want to feel safe in that S incerely/ Kenny Clark 6 Calais Court Little Rock, AR 72211 (501)821-2983July 11, 1994 Magnet Review Committee Donna Grady Creer, Executive Director 1920 North Main North Little Rock, Ark. Dear Ms. Creer, RECEIVE JUL 1 3 1994 Office of Desegregation moi ...a Concerned parents of Williams Magnet School request a meeting of the Magnet Review Committee to address the selection process for the Principal at Will lams Magnet. Parents were represented on the Interview Team and, at the completion of the Principal interviews, submitted the names of the top three candidates. In comparison of these three candidates, the credentials and qualifications for assignment to a Magnet School would not rank Mary Menking at the top of the list. However, she was assigned to Williams Magnet. Concerned parents woiiLd like to know how the selection process was finalized. What criteria were used to select the new Principal? Our concerns as parents are the following about Ms. Menking: *has experience as an area school Principal ONLY. *has very limited familiarity with the Magnet School Program. *is unfamiliar with the philosophy and tradition of Williams Magnet School. *as Principal of Brady Elementary, was accountable for standardized test ranking substantially less than the 80th percentile of Williams Magnet School. *is unfamiliar with the planned expansion process. The assignment of a Principal should be for the benefit of the magnet program. The parents of Williams Magnet need answers as to how this assignment can truly benefit the magnet program. The future of OCR CHILDREN is at stake! Should one interview be the deciding factor for Principal assignment? Concerned parents do not think so! The individual's credentials, track record", qualifications, character, and overall personnel file should be reviewed. If they were, in this case, we would like to know how Mary Menking was selected over the other two candidates.At a meeting Williams Magnet parents had with Henry Williams two months ago, he "assured us that a Principal of equal or better caliber would be assigned to Wi 111ams Magnet." We ask, as concerned parents, to evaluate the selection process used and determine if the most appropriate individual was chosen. An overall 90% satisfaction in Principal assignment was NOT achieved, as Dr. Williams had previously indicated. Please inform us when a meeting can be scheduled to discuss our concerns, for your support. Thank you Jebnnie Price Williams Magnet School Parents Representative 1412 Nicole Drive North Little Rock, Ark. 72118-2951 771-1654 cc: Judge Susan Webber Wright Aim Brown, Federal Desegregation Monitor Dr. Henry Williams, Superintendent Little Rock School District Board of Directors
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